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MEMOIR 



ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 



REV. GEO. D. MILES, A.M., 

RECTOR OP ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, WILKES-BARRE, PA. 



SECOND EDITION, 
WITH A PREFACE, 



BY THE 



Rt. Rev. ALONZO POTTER, D.D.LL.D., 

BISHOP OP THE PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL 
CHURCH IN PENNSYLVANIA. 




PHILADELPHIA: 
LINDSAY & BLAKISTON. 

1852. 






Entered, according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1852, by 

LINDSAY & BLAKISTON, 

in the Clerk's Office of the District Court in and for the Eastern 

District of Pennsylvania. 

STEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN. C. SHERMAN, PRINTER. 



PREFATORY NOTE. 



In consenting, at the request of the author and 
publishers of this little work, to prefix to it a brief 
note, I desire to disclaim all intention of recom- 
mending it. Such a Memoir is its own best 
recommendation. The matter and style of this 
volume are such, that it can hardly fail to win the 
cordial sympathy and approbation of its readers. 
It treats a delicate and difficult subject with equal 
judgment and taste. It inculcates lessons, of great 
practical importance, in a manner which even the 
most fastidious can hardly complain of, and which 
will be sure to commend itself to every earnest 
and pious heart. 

This note will accomplish its utmost aim, should 
it induce persons, who might otherwise pass the 
volume by, to give it a thoughtful perusal. There 
is, in it, much matter for grave reflection — much 
to arrest and reward the attention of the young — 
much to occasion great searchings of heart among 

(iii) 



IV PREFATORY NOTE. 

parents, teachers, and sponsors. It presents no 
example of the marvellous or preternatural. Every 
thing is simple, and to him who receivest he distin- 
guishing doctrines of Christianity, every thing must 
appear reasonable, and even natural. It brings 
before us no strange portent of precocious and 
unaccountable excellence. It traces the gradual 
development of Christian life, under the influence of 
instruction and example, wisely and steadily applied. 
It is a history of the way in which the Divine Spirit 
stands ready to aid and bless the prayers and efforts 
of all faithful parents and pastors — of all conscien- 
tious teachers in the day school or the Sunday 
school. It brings before us a child — at first faulty 
— like other children. Day by day, however, con- 
scientiousness is unfolded ; a mother's instructions 
are drunk in ; a father's counsels and admonitions 
are garnered up in the heart. Attention and 
docility reward the efforts of teachers. The 
prayers and instructions of a Pastor are held in 
honour. More and more, the sports and duties of 
childhood furnish occasion for rigid but cheerful 
self-scrutiny — until, at length, the great question 
which the soul habitually asks itself, is "Lord 
what wilt thou have me to do ? " 

The progress and sudden earthly termination of 
this career has, to the eye of nature, all the absorb- 
ing and fearful interest of a tragedy. At its 



PREFATORY NOTE. V 

opening, dark shadows dot the landscape. As the 
day advances, however, the sun gradually shines 
forth in all his effulgence. Every object begins to 
beam with beauty and loveliness, when, suddenly, 
the sky is overcast, thunder breaks fearfully on 
the ear, lightnings flash fiercely, and the happy 
travellers are smitten down in the twinkling of an 
eye, and left lifeless on the earth. But how 
different this scene appears when read by the eye 
of faith ! It is then but that path of the just 
which, like the morning light, shineth more and 
more unto the perfect day. The concluding catas- 
trophe, so overwhelming to mere sense, is, to the 
believer, but the winged chariot on which the puri- 
fied and ripened child of faithful prayers and 
untiring care is borne gently and quietly, by the 
angels, into Abraham's bosom. 

that such training were vouchsafed to all the 
children of the Church — to all the sons and daugh- 
ters of our land ! It is the great want of our time. 
The baptismal covenant involves duties which 
parents too often forget — which children are too 
rarely reminded of. The consequence is seen in 
multitudes, who have named the name of Christ 
in childhood, but who grow up in utter disregard 
of their most solemn engagements. It is seen in 
the grievous misconception which leads many to 
suppose that piety, deep and fervent, is a thing 
1* 



VI PREFATORY NOTE. 

incompatible with early youth. It is seen in the 
wide-spread impression that the paroxysm, by which 
we are finally born into the Kingdom of Heaven, 
must be preceded by a long series of departures 
from the life and power of godliness. That a 
child, even of most devoted parents, can be sancti- 
fied from its mother's womb, is looked upon as next 
to impossible, and the rare instances which now 
present themselves are regarded as wholly anoma- 
lous, — cases from which no general encouragement 
or direction can be obtained. 

This error is fraught with consequences so perni- 
cious, that it deserves to be met with the most 
earnest and effectual protest; and it is, in the 
subscriber's opinion, one of the chief merits of this 
delightful Memoir of Ellen. May Woodward, that it 
utters that protest in unpretending but most im- 
pressive tones. 

A. POTTER. 
Philadelphia, June 23d, 1852. 



INTRODUCTION. 



On Saturday morning, January 19th, 1850, an 
accident occurred in the vicinity of Wilkes-barre, 
Pennsylvania, which filled the community with 
the deepest sorrow, and awakened an extensive 
sympathy wherever it became known. Three 
young ladies starting out with others from the 
house of Hon. George W. Woodward, fell through 
the ice formed over the flats near the Susquehanna 
River, and were drowned. One of these, Elleu 
May Woodward, aged thirteen years and five 
months, the subject of the following narrative, was 
Judge Woodward's eldest daughter. The others 
were Miss Mary R. Benner, aged seventeen, from 
Bellefonte, Centre County, a visitor at his house, 
and Miss Ann 0. Butler, aged twenty-one, a 

(vii) 



Vlll INTRODUCTION. 

member of his family. The peculiar position of 
Ellen Woodward as a member of the church of 
Christ at so early an age, and the manifestations 
of deep piety which marked her, will account for 
the appearance of this little volume. She was one 
of Christ's lambs, committed to the care of the 
pastor of the flock, and her story is told to lead 
others into the same fold. 

Wilkes-barrS, July 1st, 1850. 



NOTE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



The first edition of this Memoir having been 
exhausted in a few months after its publication, the 
writer has been induced by the advice of friends 
who have assisted in its circulation, to issue a 
second edition. It has seemed, upon a review, that 
its plain and simple statements needed but little 
alteration. They are, therefore, sent forth in 
nearly the same form, with a few words, by way of 
preface, from an abler pen ; and the book is now 
more generally inscribed to the children of our land 
at large, with the prayer that, under the Spirit's 
blessing, it may be useful in leading many to the 
love of their common Saviour. 

Wilkes-barre, July 1st, 1852. 



(ix) 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

Chapter I. Early Childhood, . • .13 

II. An Awakening Incident, . 21 

III. Ellen in the Sunday School, . 28 

IV. Earnest Struggles, . . 38 
V. Ellen's Plan for spending the 

Sabbath, . ... 65 

VI. The Confirmation, ... 69 

VII. Christian Efforts, ... 78 

VIII. The Communion, ... 85 

IX. Ellen's Journal, ... 92 

X. The Sudden Calamity, . . 105 

XL The Funeral, .... 112 

XII. Ellen as a Scholar, . . 130 

XIII. Letters of Condolence, . . 144 



(xi) 



MEMOIR. 



CHAPTER I. 

EARLY CHILDHOOD. 

Ellen May Woodward, the daughter of 
the Hon. George W. and Sarah Elizabeth 
Woodward, was born in Wilkesbarre, Luzerne 
County, Pennsylvania, on the 26th of June, 
1836, and was baptized by the Rev. Dr. May, 
in St. Stephen's Church, on Sunday, December 
22d, of the same year. During her earliest 
childhood she was not considered as peculiarly 
amiable in her disposition, or more disposed 
than children in general towards religious im- 
pressions ; on the contrary, there were instances 
where the reverse of this might be observed, and 
where, without being regarded as a bad child, 
2 " ( 13 > 



14 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

in the common acceptation of the term, she yet 
exhibited much of that self-will so early observed 
in the natural heart. She was familiar, how- 
ever, with the duties of religion from her earliest 
youth, and always showed a more than ordinary 
interest in their performance. She was early 
noticed by her teacher in the infant school, and 
by her pastor as she grew into childhood, as 
one whom it was always pleasant to see, and 
with whom was associated little of that faulti- 
ness which so often gives the teacher and the 
pastor pain. In her countenance there could 
always be seen the earnest desire to learn the 
truths appropriate to the day and place ; a coun- 
tenance which even then might seem indicative 
of the work of grace, which was so soon to be 
manifested. In saying this, there is no desire 
on the part of any who are interested in her 
brief history, to represent her as a precocious 
child. In all that is to follow, it is our only 
aim to present her truly as she was, with no at- 
tempt to hold her up as a model child, for such 
she was not ; and nothing could have more dis- 
tressed her heart, so sensitively alive to her own 
defects, than the idea of being made an exam- 



EARLY CHILDHOOD. 15 

pie for the imitation of others. It is the work 
of God's grace in her heart which we truly wish 
to honour, and our desire is to present her to 
her young companions, and all who may read 
this simple narrative, just as she appeared to 
her living friends, only with this natural differ- 
rence, — that we look upon every blessing when 
it has departed, in another light, and reason 
more truly in regard to it, than we do when we 
have its full enjoyment. " How blessings bright- 
en as they take their flight !" Could her young 
companions enjoy her society now, just as she 
was when with them before her death, how dif- 
ferently would they appreciate her! They 
would mark those traits which then were hardly 
noticed, but which, while unnoticed, led all who 
became intimate with her to love her. There 
was a charm of which all seemed to feel the 
influence, yet of which none were fully aware. 
The qualities w T hich seemed most to strike 
the minds of her teachers were her great mo- 
desty and perfect transparency of character, her 
unexampled truthfulness and sincerity. She 
seemed hardly to realize what deception is. 
Her teachers were often restrained from bestow- 



16 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

ing upon her the meed of praise which they 
thought justly her due, from the positive annoy- 
ance which it seemed to give her, in her total 
unconsciousness of its desert. With this trait 
in her character was joined that self-possession 
which is always the accompaniment of true mo- 
desty. In her perfect simplicity and unaffected- 
ness, she would freely converse with any of the 
many visiters at her father's house ; while they, 
in turn, would be regarding her with an admira- 
tion at which she would have been not a little 
surprised. Though always of a serious turn, 
none seemed to enjoy life more than she did. 
None would enter more heartily into the inno- 
cent sports of childhood with her young com- 
panions, and, with the exception of the few 
weeks in which her heart was all absorbed in 
the settlement of the great question of her soul's 
safety, no child appeared to have a more uni- 
formly happy life. All her outward circum- 
stances were favorable to this result, and her 
own inward spirit would have moulded a less 
favorable worldly lot into a condition of con- 
tentment. 

It is difficult to tell the precise time when 



EARLY CHILDHOOD* 17 

she first began to feel an interest in the subject 
of religion ; and more difficult still to fix the 
hour, the day, or the month, when that great 
change, the new birth, took place. But on this 
point we have no trouble. It is of far less con- 
sequence to know the time, than to know the 
fact that it did take place. That there are per- 
sons who can fix that time with some good de- 
gree of assurance, we do not doubt, but it seems 
not the manner in which God's spirit generally 
operates. The soul is more often led by a 
way which it knows not, by steps which it can- 
not see, until, from the native condition of mid- 
night darkness, it is brought out into the clear 
sunlight of Christian truth, and, looking back 
upon his former condition with a full realization 
of the great change through which he has passed, 
the new man in Christ Jesus can say, " Whereas 
I was blind, now I see." This is in full ac- 
cordance with what our Savior said to Nicode- 
mus ; " The wind bloweth where it listeth, and 
thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not 
tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth ; so 
is every one that is born of the Spirit. Holding 
this to be the general mode in which conversion 
2* 



18 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

takes place, we do not look for any precise mo- 
ment in which the subject of this memoir passed 
through that great change : nor do we have less 
confidence in the reality of her conversion, be- 
cause we cannot point to the time. The time 
of it is with God : the fact alone are we con- 
cerned with, and that fact we are to judge of 
by the life and fruits. 

We have already said, that in her earliest 
childhood, Ellen did not manifest a remarkably 
amiable disposition, but sometimes rather the 
reverse. There was one trait, however, which 
w r as conspicuous from the beginning, — and 
that was her great love for her mother, a love 
which amounted to an entire devotedness, an 
affection accompanied with such strong yearn- 
ings, that she could hardly tolerate even a short 
separation. Whether parting from her mother, 
at night, or to go on an errand, or to school, a 
kiss and adieus, multiplied and affectionate, 
were her established habits ; and her first care 
on returning was to assure herself of the wel- 
fare of her mother. With the sincerest affec- 
tion for every member of the family, her love 
for her mother seemed from very early child- 



EARLY CHILDHOOD. 19 

hood to the day of her death to be the absorb- 
ing passion of her nature. Nor was she wanting 
in love and obedience to her aged maternal 
grandmother, who had always been a member 
of the family. This revered relative w r as often 
ill, and many, many times has Ellen foregone 
the recreations in w T hich the other children were 
engaged, to sit for hours by her bedside, reading 
to her in the Bible or some other good book. 

Early in life instances were noticed where 
Ellen took great interest in the study of the 
Bible, and it could be seen by her questions, 
that she w T as generally far in advance of chil- 
dren of her age, in the knowledge of God's 
truth. Since her death many conversations on 
this subject have recurred to her parents of a 
deeply interesting character, some of which 
must have taken place when she was not more 
than eight or nine years of age. She, however, 
in her own religious experience, does not seem 
to have referred to any of this early instruction, 
or their early impressions, as having anything 
to do with her Christian character as afterwards 
developed. But notwithstanding her own un- 
consciousness of it, the w T ay had been prepared 



20 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

by steps which she did not recognise. There 
still seemed to be needed some striking event, 
or some definite presentation of truth, to draw 
forth her affection, and bring her mind to an 
intelligent decision; and such an occasion or 
event was not long wanting, but was furnished 
in God's own good time. 



CHAPTER II. 

r 

AN AWAKENING INCIDENT. 

On the last Sunday in July, 1848, after cate- 
chising the children of the Sunday school in St. 
Stephen's Church, the rector read to them the 
narrative of "Little Elizabeth." This story 
proved very deeply interesting to Ellen, and 
made an impression upon her heart, more defi- 
nite than any one thing before known in her 
religious history. The narrative was brief, and 
gave the few and simple incidents in the life of 
a little child who died before she was four years 
of age. In that life, however, short as it was, 
there was witnessed as clear evidence of a work 
of grace, as is witnessed in the case of any 
person of maturer years. Penitence for sin, 
faith in Christ, and gratitude to God for all his 
goodness, were distinctly developed. Her 
natural temper, though hasty and unruly, as 

(21) 



22 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

early exhibited, was clearly conquered by di- 
vine grace ; and the missionary spirit, the true 
spirit of Christ's disciples, was seen to such an 
extent, that she wished to sell the trinkets and 
jewels which were presented by her friends, 
and devote the money to the heathen. This 
narrative was sent in manuscript from England 
to the Rev. Dr. Cutler, Rector of St. Ann's 
Church, Brooklyn, who had it printed and dis- 
tributed to all the children of the Sunday school 
connected with that church. The present wri- 
ter well remembers the day, while assistant 
minister in that church, when the distribution 
of these little books took place. He then re- 
served a copy, which he read at the time before 
mentioned, in the parish to which he had re- 
moved. Having heard this story, Ellen returned 
home, and gave a most particular account of it 
to her mother and to her younger sister, who 
was not at school. Her heart seemed deeply 
moved, she shed many tears over its recital ; 
her whole soul was agitated with the great 
question of her own salvation, and with charac- 
teristic affection and earnestness, she asked her 
mother to pray for her. 

If we could have looked into the workings 



AN AWAKENING INCIDENT. 23 

of Ellen's heart at this time, it would have 
probably appeared, that a new and deeper con- 
viction of the truth had fastened upon her mind 
that early piety was possible. There can be 
no doubt that the many lessons which she had 
received at home, and in the Sunday school, 
and at church, had produced their wonted im- 
pression in some degree. We have already 
said that it will be difficult to designate the 
moment when she became a Christian. The 
ground had been preparing through her infancy 
and childhood. That same depravity which is 
the inheritance of all by nature, belonged to 
her, and the same great work of the Spirit was 
needed, before she could enter heaven. The 
work was most gradually developed according 
to our Saviour's analogy in the parable of the 
sower. The ground must first be prepared or 
made good. It was not so originally, or by 
nature. And when the ground was prepared, 
the seed must be sown. This would not spring 
up and come to maturity at once. The full ear 
of ripened grain would be as unnatural a sight 
when immediately produced, as would be the 
full-grown and experienced Christian starting 
up from the death of sin and worldliness. The 



24 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

seed must begin to grow, after it had been 
planted in the prepared ground. It would then 
start and grow before its first beginnings could 
be seen ; before it appeared above the surface. 
Then would come the blade, the first faint signs 
of life, and returning spring-time. In this 
early tenderness it might be easily crushed and 
destroyed, but if guarded with care, as the 
husbandman watches his growing vegetation, it 
would increase, and, under the blessing of 
God's sun and rain, under the refreshing influ- 
ence of the sun of righteousness, and the dews 
of God's Spirit, the tender blade would soon 
expand into the forming ear. 

Such seems to have been the time in Ellen's 
moral history, when this little narrative was 
read. It presented religion to her in a new and 
more defined aspect. It coincided with all the 
instruction she had previously received, and 
went beyond it in this, — that it furnished a 
tangible case, in which the possible was deve- 
loped into the actual ; the theory became prac- 
tice. Nor will it be sufficient to speak of this 
as a natural result. It was more than this. It 
seemed to be one of the means among the many 
which the Holy Spirit uses to lead the heart of 



AN AWAKENING INCIDENT. 25 

a child to the Saviour. It was something that 
she could understand and appreciate. She saw 
a little child of less than four years giving evi- 
dent marks of piety, and dying happy. Why 
might not the same thing be true in her case ? 
If so young a child should feel so strong a sense 
of sin, why should not she ? If an infant could 
feel love to Jesus Christ for saving her soul, 
why should not her heart be touched with the 
same love ? And thus God made use of one 
of those means, so small as to be despised by 
worldly wisdom, to bring another child to her 
heavenly Father. Christ himself had said 
while on earth, " Suffer little children to come 
unto me, and forbid them not, for of such is 
the kingdom of heaven : " and he also said, 
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, whosoever shall 
not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, 
he shall in no wise enter therein." Thus did 
God's work seem to be accomplishing in Ellen's 
heart, by those apparently humble means which 
the Spirit would more readily bless. 

It was not long after the reading of the nar- 
rative of Little Elizabeth, and the impression 
as above supposed to have proceeded from it, 
that Ellen's mother informed her pastor of her 
3 



26 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

newly -awakened interest in serious things. 
She had even mentioned to her mother her 
desire to speak with me upon the subject. The 
particular trains of conversation on that and 
other subsequent occasions, are not distinctly 
remembered ; but they left an abiding impres- 
sion upon my own mind that a work of grace 
had been commenced, and had even then pro- 
ceeded so far, that I should have had no hesi- 
tation in admitting her as a candidate for the 
rite of confirmation, and thereupon to full com- 
munion with the church. The matter was 
hinted to her then, as a thing to be considered 
carefully and solemnly, as the Bishop was ex- 
pected to visit the parish the last of that same 
month. It was left, however, to her own feel- 
ings; and she, with that humility and diffidence 
so often discoverable, soon expressed the opi- 
nion that she was too young, and that it would 
be better to postpone it for the present. She 
was now about twelve years of age, and though 
she gave an evidence far superior to that upon 
which many a Christian has asked and been 
allowed the privileges of the full covenant, it 
was well, as far as we can now see, that she 
should wait for a further development of Chris- 



AN AWAKENING INCIDENT. 27 

tian character. The coming year was to wit- 
ness a far deeper experience, and a more active 
struggle to complete the begun work. Lovely 
and tender in spirit as she was, the great ad- 
versary of our race, who goes about as a roaring 
lion seeking whom he may devour, would not 
relinquish his claim upon the lamb of the flock, 
till he had exerted his utmost power. That 
contest w r e shall soon be called to review. 



CHAPTER III. 

ELLEN IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 

We may as well here, as in any other place, 
speak of Ellen's character and conduct in the 
Sunday school, though we may have to antici- 
pate some things in that connexion, which 
happened later in her history. From the infant 
school to the Bible class, of which she was a 
member at the time of her death, she had al- 
ways shown a similar, though increasing inte- 
rest. Each teacher to whom she had at different 
times recited, speaks of her in the warmest 
terms, as a most exemplary scholar ; and they 
all felt that they had one, at least, w T ho would 
pay good attention, and reward the labour be- 
stowed upon the lesson. She came desiring to 
learn, was always prompt in answering, and 
always understood her lesson. If a difficult 
question occurred which required more than 

(28) 



IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 29 

usual thought and study, the teacher felt all 
confidence that it would meet with an answer 
from Ellen; and the readiness with which it 
was answered, was only equalled by the deli- 
cacy and modesty with which that answer was 
given. Nor w T as it alone the lesson of the 
school that occupied her attention. This was 
by no means the limit of her biblical study. 
There were times, indeed, when the family cir- 
cle at home was formed into a Bible class of a 
Sabbath afternoon, and when all the members 
joined in the delightful study of the sacred 
volume. Doubtless many a good impression 
was treasured up from this exercise. It w T as a 
sacred influence coming from the sanctuary of 
a happy home, where the father w r as the priest 
of his ow r n household; and should the holy day 
be thus occupied, and the influence of home 
thus directed by every Christian family, there 
would be less complaint on the part of children 
that the day was dull and tedious, and less re- 
grets on the part of parents, that the children 
had departed from the path of virtue. "Train 
up a child in the w^ay he should go, and when 
he is old he will not depart from it." It may 
be useful here to explain in a few words the 
3* 



30 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

manner in which this exercise had been con- 
ducted. It had long been the custom in her 
father's family, when he was at home and cir- 
cumstances permitted, to gather the whole 
family together in this manner on Sunday after- 
noon, each one that was old enough to read 
being provided with a Bible, and the younger 
children seated to listen. Several chapters 
would then be read, parents and children read- 
ing successively two verses each, after which a 
familiar and general conversation would ensue 
on some striking passage or impressive truth 
that had been met with in the lesson. The 
main object in these exercises was to bring 
home the truth to the hearts and consciences of 
all present ; and the articles and liturgy of the 
church, and the sermon of the morning were 
convenient illustrations, which were freely used 
for this purpose. In this exercise Ellen always 
^manifested a lively and intelligent interest. 
Her questions and observations indicated a 
degree of thoughtfulness far beyond her years. 
But in addition to all the foregoing, there is 
evidence that she had her own plan for pursuing 
the study of the Bible, after her mind and heart 
had become so deeply interested in the personal 



IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 31 

application of its truths. Among her papers 
there was found a manuscript question book 
which she had written at times upon different 
portions of scripture, in addition to the lesson 
which she prepared for the Sunday school. 
These questions are such as would be most ea- 
sily and naturally suggested to her mind, and 
sometimes are accompanied with reflections 
which were awakened by their study. The fol- 
lowing are quoted as a specimen. It may be 
well to make a remark here, which will be ap- 
plicable alike to these and other extracts from 
her papers. She wrote for no eye but her own. 
She seems to have poured out her heart on 
paper, the better to systematize her thoughts, 
and enable her to analyze them, and w T ith no 
view whatever to the inspection of others. This 
will account in some measure for the more bro- 
ken and disjointed style of those of her papers 
that were peculiarly private, as compared w T ith 
the letters which were designed for the perusal 
of others. 



32 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 



cc 



QUESTIONS ON THE BIBLE, WRITTEN WHEN I 
WAS TWELVE YEARS OLD. 

Questions on the second chapter of Matthew. 

" When Herod was dead, who appeared to 
Joseph? (v. 19.) 

" What did the angel of the Lord say this 
time ? 

" Joseph was warned by an angel of the Lord 
in the first place in a dream, to flee into Egypt, 
and afterwards, when Herod was dead, the an- 
gel of the Lord appeared a second time in a 
dream, and told Joseph to flee into the land of 
Israel. I think that this shows the protecting 
power of God in enabling them to avoid Herod. 

" Did Joseph obey the command ? 

" We see that Joseph did obey the command 
of the angel of the Lord; and we ought to 
obey all the commands of the Bible as the 
revealed word of God. 

u Who reigned after Herod ? 

" It seems that after the death of Herod Jo- 
seph was still afraid to go into Judea, as Arche- 
laus his son reigned in his father Herod's place, 
and c very likely Joseph was afraid that he had 
the same cruel disposition as his father.' He 



IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 33 

was further admonished of God to turn into the 
f parts of Galilee. 5 " 

It will be seen by the quotation marks here 
and elsewhere, how particularly scrupulous El- 
len was to take nothing from others without an 
acknowledgment, though this little book was 
to be seen by no one but herself. Such was 
her character, manifested in everything. 

Luke, 8th chapter, from the 22d to the 26th 
verse. 

" It happened once that Jesus ' went into a 
ship with his disciples,' and he desired to go to 
the other side of the lake they were upon, so 
they < launched forth.' But presently c he fell 
asleep,' and while he slept a great storm arose, 
and the ship filled with water. His disciples 
were very much frightened, and went to him 
c and awoke him saying, Master, Master, we 
perish.' 

But he rebuked the winds and the waves 
c and there was a calm.' And he said, c Where 
is your faith?' At this those that were with 
him were afraid and c wondered' saying, c What 
manner of man is this? for he commandeth 
even the winds and water, and they obey him. " 



34 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

" Sunday, July 29th, '49. 

"Jesus once c went into a city called Nain,' 
and he was followed by his disciples and a great 
multitude of people. When he came c to the 
gate of the city,' he met«a funeral. 

There was a young man of the city to be 
buried, who was the only son of a widow. He 
1 touched the bier' with his hand, and those that 
carried it stood still.' Then he told the young 
man to arise. He who was lifeless but a mo- 
ment before < sat up' in his coffin, and Jesus 
* delivered him to his mother.' Then all those 
that were about were seized with fear, and ' glo- 
rified God.' They declared that * there was a 
great prophet risen up among them, and God 
had visited his people.' ' The disciples of 
John,' told him all the things that had hap- 
pened." 

This is a specimen of the manner in which 
Ellen made the study of the Bible interesting to 
herself; seizing hold of incidents in the scrip- 
ture narrative, and clothing them in her own 
language ; sometimes transferring her own ideas 
of present customs, to that distant land, and 
that different scene. An instance of this is 



IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 35 

observed in the last extract, where the word 
"coffin" is introduced, a word not in the origi- 
nal, because that custom of burying was not 
common, but it would easily and naturally occur 
to the mind of a child who was thus writing, 
when she knew its use in her own country. 
The same may be observed in regard to the 
word " funeral." Should such an exercise as 
this be pursued generally in our Sunday schools, 
under the direction of ministers, superintendents, 
and teachers, it w T ould greatly enhance the in- 
terest of the lessons, and familiarize the youthful 
mind with the word of God. Where scripture 
scenes or truths are stated by the children them- 
selves in language which they can comprehend, 
they must produce a greater effect, than the 
same things though often and carelessly read 
over in the ordinary course of instruction. Re- 
flection is stimulated, and the habit of thought- 
fully weighing the teaching of the Bible is con- 
firmed. There is no doubt that Ellen gained 
great benefit from this exercise. She assumed 
it herself, and it was not a task but a delightful 
duty. 

That she was truly conscientious in her at- 
tendance upon every duty has already been 



36 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

remarked. The following note is an instance. 
It was directed to her Sunday School teacher. 

"Please excuse me for not being at your 
house in time to study over the lesson with you. 
It was very kind in you to go over with it for 
our sakes, and I was very thoughtless not to 
come down sooner." 

She once spoke to me in church as I was 
passing through the aisle, after catechising the 
children, and asked my forgiveness for whisper- 
ing during the exercise. I had perceived no- 
thing of the kind, but it made no difference with 
her ; she knew it herself and was not easy until 
she had confessed it. Many a similar instance 
has occurred where she asked the forgiveness of 
her teachers or parents for something which she 
had done in a thoughtless moment, when they 
were not at all aware of it. Things which were 
never noticed by others, were condemned by 
herself, so sensitively alive was she to the most 
trifling fault. On retiring for the night she al- 
ways parted from her parents with a kiss, and 
generally with some expression of desire for 
their forgiveness of faults, which w T ere so minute 



IN THE SUNDAY SCHOOL. 37 

that they had not observed them, or had forgot- 
ten them, insomuch that they could not suspect 
to what she referred unless she explained. The 
most refined casuistry is not so severe as was 
her jealousy of herself. 



CHAPTER IV. 

EARNEST STRUGGLES. 

During the winter and spring of 1849, but 
little change was observable in her religious 
character. There was the same attention to all 
her duties, at home, at the seminary, in the Sun- 
day school, and at church. She seemed never 
to lose the interest which had been awakened 
during the preceding summer. But there yet 
appeared to be needed some deeper movings of 
the Holy Spirit to develope her religious affec- 
tions and complete the work already begun. 
And this influence was not long absent. There 
was no outwardly exciting circumstance to im- 
press her already awakened mind, but the still, 
small voice of God's Spirit bade her go forward 
in the path of duty. Her true character was 
yet to be manifested under circumstances' of 
strong spiritual conflict with the enemy. Her 

(38) 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 39 

own native depravity was to be more deeply 
realized, and the preeiousness of the Saviour 
experienced as it had not been before. 

Some time in the latter part of May, or about 
the first of June, it was discoverable that her 
mind had become most deeply exercised. It 
was then that she seemed to enter more freely 
into conversation with her parents and her pas- 
tor. As the work went on, it began to assume 
to her an agonizing interest. Satan was exert- 
ing his strongest influence to defeat the work of 
God, and the tender child was thrown almost 
into despair. Under the Spirit's promptings 
she searched her own heart very thoroughly, 
and watched its changing phases most narrowly. 
She took every pains to be informed. She open- 
ed her heart fully, and concealed nothing from 
her spiritual advisers. The progress of the 
work may be judged better by some of her own 
statements in her own simple language, than by 
a mere description. In conversation with her 
I noticed that her impressions of her condition 
varied much from time to time ; some days 
buoyed up w T ith hope, — on others depressed 
with many fears. I then suggested to her the 
exercise of setting down her thoughts on pa- 



40 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

per, — writing in one column the encouraging 
thoughts, — in another,the discouraging thoughts. 
By this exercise she could keep in view the va- 
rious changes of her mind, and, perhaps be led 
to judge more correctly after a little delay. This 
exercise her mind seized upon, and she pursued 
it very faithfully. The following is the first pa- 
per which I received from her, and it gives an 
idea of the thoroughness of the work which 
was going on in her heart. 

" Saturday afternoon, June 9th, 1849. 

" My dear Pastor : 

" It seems as though I could tell you my feel- 
ings and thoughts better by writing about them 
to you in the form of a letter, than to arrange 
them more formally. I asked mother if she 
thought it would be disrespectful to you to write 
you in this way, rather than to write down 
my thoughts in the other way that you pro- 
posed to me; and as I feel that my state of 
mind is not very different from what it was yes- 
terday, and as there have not many new thoughts 
come into my mind, she seemed to think I might 
write in this way if I chose. I think there is 
one thing of which I am certain, and that is my 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 41 

very great hardness of heart ; although I do not 
think I feel it as much just now as I did a little 
while ago, but I hope I did feel it very much. 
And would I feel this hardness of heart if the 
Holy Spirit had not showed it to me ? I think 
in the conversation on last Monday you said it 
was not natural for us to feel that our hearts 
were hard. I believe you asked me last night 
if I did not know, or if I was not certain, that 
I would rather lose anything than my interest in 
Christ, or something to that effect. I hope when 
I consider the matter that I see it would be bet- 
ter to have a well-grounded hope in Christ than 
anything else. But oh that I felt it more ! I 
would not be willing to go back to the world 
and lose even the hope that I have. But some- 
times there is such a thought as this passes 
through my mind, — do I really desire to be a 
Christian ? But perhaps it is wrong to doubt 
that I have such a desire, and if I pray for such 
a desire, will I not receive it, even if I have it 
not? The possibility of being deceived has 
troubled me some. I think over my life since 
last summer, when, I trust, I began to think 
more seriously than I ever had done before of 
these things, and I will think that I have had 
4* 



42 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

some Christian experience. Then I think of 
my doubts for days past, and ask, were these 
doubts temptations of the evil one? or were 
they intended to lead me to see that I had been 
deceived, and consequently prompted by the 
Holy Spirit ? But will not God direct my mind 
to the truth, if I strive to put my trust in him ? 
I believe I asked you on Monday if a Christian 
would sin intentionally, or something to that 
point, and you said that you would think that 
person in an exceedingly dangerous position, 
though you would not wish to limit the mercy 
of God ; and I expect that troubled me some, 
though I hope now I have not committed such 
a sin. One thing that I trust has comforted 
me some has been this passage of scripture — 
c Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.' Would 
you advise me (I think you did) to keep a list 
of my different trains of thought day by day, if 
I live? May my Heavenly Father give me 
freedom from doubt in his own good time. 
" From a poor little girl to her pastor." 

This must appear to all who read it a remark- 
able letter, coming from a child twelve years of 
age. The feelings and workings of the human 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 43 

heart there indicated, have been experienced by 
many a Christian, and as they read this simple 
narrative, they will recognize more or less that 
great change through which they have all passed 
(if indeed they are Christians), as face answereth 
to face, in a glass. Its only peculiarity is, that 
it appeared in the case of one so young ; and 
even this shows the operation of the Holy Spirit, 
which can move alike the heart of the most 
gifted man in mature life, and the heart of a 
little child. There were faithful searchings de- 
scribed in that letter which no hypocrite or 
deceiver would practise, and there was a close- 
ness of reasoning upon doubtful exercises in 
her mind, which would honor a gifted philoso- 
pher or metaphysician. She seemed now to be 
needing encouragement and comfort, and there- 
fore the following was immediately sent to her 
in answer to her letter, and under the blessing 
of that God w T ho works by means, it was in 
some measure effectual in producing the desired 
result. 

" My dear Ellen : 

" I was glad that you felt a freedom in writing 
to me in the way you did, to tell me what was 



44 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

passing in your mind without any formality. I 
am directed in God's word to give every one 
his portion of meat in due season, and to feed 
the lambs of the flock as well as the sheep. I 
may not reach your case in my public ministra- 
tions, and therefore I sit down now to preach 
on paper, feeling assured that my sermon will 
be well received, and with the hope that I may 
assist one who is seeking the heavenward path. 
You doubtless did not intend to write in any 
particular order, but to say what happened to 
occur most readily, and yet you have proceeded 
most systematically, if I may so speak. Let 
me refer to your several positions, that you may 
review them again, and take courage. 

"1. There is one thing of which you are 
certain, viz: 'very great hardness of heart.' 
Who taught you this ? From w r hence did the 
feeling arise ? Did God's Spirit convince you 
of it, or did the devil come to you in the hours 
of your early and comparative innocence and 
prompt the feeling ? This latter is not his me- 
thod of dealing, and therefore it must have been 
God's Spirit, early in his visitings to your heart, 
before that heart grew more hard ; and therefore 
you ought to thank him. Is not this in other 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 45 

words, your overwhelming sense of the burden 
of sin, and the strongly expressed desire of your 
soul to be relieved of it ? But how will you be 
relieved ? This is the next step. If we are 
sinners, we need salvation, and hence you are 
next looking to a hope in Christ. 

"2. You say, 4 I hope when I consider the 
matter that I see it would be better to have a 
well-grounded hope in Christ, than anything 
else. But oh that I felt it more !' Is not this, 
in your own modest language, the strongest way 
in which you could express the all-pervading 
desire of your heart, that you might have a well- 
grounded hope in Christ ? And who gives you 
this desire ? Is it the devil ? Does he wish 
you to have any hope in Christ at all? And 
least of all, would he wish you to have a well- 
grounded hope? Be not faithless, but believe 
that the Holy Spirit alone could prompt in you 
such good desires, and desires so accordant with 
the written word. God's work and the devil's 
are not so much alike. 

" 3. What is the next step ? Some faint 
dawnings of hope appear. ' I would not be 
willing to go back to the world and lose even 
the hope that I have.' This certainly is not 



46 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

1 hoping against hope,' to use a common ex- 
pression, but it is hope in favor of more hope. 
It is the little germ of hope planted in your 
heart, bursting forth, — expanding and stretch- 
ing out its tendrils like the growing vine, that it 
may feel a support stronger than itself. Now 
whence this hope ? Does the devil prompt 
it? Nay. He gives many dark and trouble- 
some doubts, but he awakens no hopes. He 
would palsy and benumb the sensibilities, that 
we might not feel ; or cast us into darkness 
and despair, but he would never quicken a 
hope. Hope is a stronger form of desire. It 
holds the intermediate position between desire 
and fruition. If we do not desire a thing, we 
shall not hope for it ; and if we do not hope for 
it, we shall not enjoy it. But what is the object 
for which you hope ? Is it good or bad ? Is it 
in accordance with God's will, or not? Does 
he wish you to be saved or lost ? From whom 
do ' all holy desires, all good counsel, and all 
just works proceed ?' Perhaps I have been too 
particular in this discrimination, but I am per- 
suaded that your mind will readily follow it. 
I am trying with the calm, unprejudiced, and 
disinterested eye of a looker-on, to lay open 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 47 

your own mind to yourself, and show you 
those landmarks and grounds of confidence, 
which you are too diffident to assume for yourself. 

" 4. But you have gone farther than this. You 
have gone through those preceding exercises 
of mind, and yet are sometimes tempted to ask, 
'Do I really desire to be a Christian?' Look 
back through the period of the past year, and 
let your reigning and prevailing motive answer 
this question. Let the hours which you have 
spent in communion w T ith God, when your heart 
has been laid open before Him, answer. Let 
the hours when you have read his word and tried 
to apply to your own heart its various tests, 
answer. Let the chief happiness which you 
have enjoyed in that period, answer. I need 
not answer the question, for you yourself throw 
in a peradventure that it may be c wrong to 
doubt that you have such a desire.' 

" 5. After throwing out these doubts, and 
expressing your trouble at ( the possibility of 
being deceived,' you do seem to honor the work 
and promptings of the Spirit. You review your 
life since last summer, when you began to think 
more seriously of religion, and you say, ' I will 
think that I have had some Christian experi- 
ence ;' and you express the confidence that God 



48 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

will direct your mind to the truth, if you strive 
to put your trust in him. You also have some 
comfort under the spiritual chastisement which 
the Lord has laid upon you, and you seem to 
feel that he does love you, since he has chas- 
tened you, and that he will yet show you the 
light of his countenance, though clouds of doubt 
have sometimes veiled your clear view. May I 
not trust that this is the beginning of better days 
to you ; an earnest of the good things which 
your heavenly Father has in store for you ? May 
I not hope that you will follow on to know the 
Lord, forgetting the things behind ; and that 
soon you will come out of your time of trial and 
conflict with your great spiritual enemy, a cheer- 
ful and happy child of God, through disciple- 
ship in Christ, letting the mild beams of your 
Christian light and life fall upon the circle in 
which you move, cheering the hearts of pious 
friends, and winning others by the lovely exam- 
ple of one who has been with Jesus ! For this, 
your pastor will continue to pray, while in 
closing he would put in your mouth the prayer 
of the humble penitent, c Lord I believe, help 
thou mine unbelief. 5 

"Your affectionate pastor. 

"June 10th, 1849." 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 49 

Soon after this, she handed me another 
paper, more in accordance with the plan I had 
suggested. 

" List of the different thoughts that I have in 
regard to myself on the subject of religion, and 
some passages of scripture to sustain or not 
sustain these thoughts. 

" ENCOURAGING THOUGHTS. 

" A desire to be saved, and, I hope, a will- 
ingness to accept the way in which to be saved. 

" I do not think that I would be willing to 
give up even the hope that I now have and be 
taken up by worldly pleasures. 

"I should think that there would be great 
danger in giving up even the hope that I now 
have. 

" It is said in the last verse of the 9th chapter 
of Luke's gospel, by Jesus Christ, * no man 
having put his hand to the plough, and looking 
back, is fit for the kingdom of God.' 

"It must be the Holy Spirit that makes me 
think about my soul. 

"My heavenly Father does not despise a 
troubled spirit. 
5 



50 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

"We have an assurance that our heavenly 
Father will hear and answer our prayers. 

" In the 18th chapter of Luke, Jesus teaches 
that we ought always to pray, and not to faint 
and say :• — 'And shall not God avenge his own 
elect which cry day and night unto him, though 
he bear long with them ? ' 

" Father pointed out to me the verse that was 
read in the psalter this morning, c The sacrifice 
of God is a troubled spirit ; a broken and con- 
trite heart, God, shalt thou not despise.' 
He said he thought of me when he read it, and 
it seems to me I noticed it myself. 

" I think I have a troubled spirit." 

"discouraging thoughts. 

"I think sometimes that the 181st hymn suits 
me exactly. 

"The Lord will happiness divine 

On contrite hearts bestow; 
Then tell me, gracious God, is mine 

A contrite heart, or no] 

"I hear, but seem to hear in vain, 

Insensible as steel, 
If aught is felt, 't is only pain 

To find I cannot feel. 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 51 

"My best desires are faint and few, 

I fain would strive for more; 
But when I cry, 'My strength renew,' 

Seem weaker than before. 

"I see thy saints with comfort filled, 
When in thy house of prayer ; 

But still in bondage I am held, 
And find no comfort there. 

" O make this heart rejoice or ache, 

Decide this doubt for me; 
And if it be not broken, break ; 

And heal it if it be. 

"I am afraid my friends seem to think better 
of my state of mind than I can think of myself. 

" There are some other discouraging thoughts, 
perhaps I had better talk to you about when I 
see you." 

At another time she wrote the following : — 

" List of the thoughts which I have with 
regard to myself on the subject of religion. 

"encouraging thoughts. 

"Jesus said, ' Him who cometh to me I will 
in no wise cast out.' 



52 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

" If I know my own mind to any degree, I 
think I wish to have Christ for my saviour, and 
to enjoy his love. 

u The hope that I do sometimes feel some 
love to my Saviour, though my heart is often 
very cold. 

"Would I care anything about my soul if 
God had not sent his Holy Spirit to lead me to 
think about it ? 

"discouraging thoughts. 

" The hardness of my heart seems so great, 
and I sometimes have so very little love to my 
Saviour, it seems as though that heart cannot 
have been renewed. 

" The fear that I do right, more from a fear 
of grieving the Holy Spirit, than from a fervent 
love to God and Jesus Christ, or a desire to 
glorify them. 

"I am afraid that I think too much of my 
Saviour as indifferent about me." 

The next paper seems to be filled with 
thoughts mostly under one head. 

"discouraging thoughts. 
"I am sometimes afraid that I have not really 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 53 

as much reason to hope that I am a Christian 
now, as I had some time ago ; but perhaps it is 
my own desponding feelings which lead me to 
think so. 

" Sometimes, it seems to me as if my sins 
were still darling to me ; as if I did not want 
to be freed from them ; and as if I asked to be 
freed from them only because I know it is my 
duty. 

"I think that I look upon my conduct be- 
fore I became awakened, with pleasure ; but 
then I think it is only because I want to find 
evidences of a change of heart. 

" This passage of Scripture, I think, some- 
times troubles me : " For I say unto you, that 
unto every one that hath shall be given ; and 
from him that hath not, even that he hath shall 
be taken away from him ;' or some passage of 
Scripture similar to it, although I do not know 
as it applies to my case. 

" The tempter sometimes puts such a thought 
as this into my mind, c May not religion be 
false ?' — but I hope that I try to struggle against 
all such thoughts. 

" I am afraid I do not love my Saviour as 
5* 



54 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

much as I do my mother ; and sometimes I feel 
so wicked, that I do not wish to love him. 

" I am afraid I do what I think is right, from 
a fear of tempting the Holy Spirit to depart from 
me entirely, or from other motives than a desire 
for the glory of God. 

" I think I used to feel more confidence in 
approaching God than my Saviour, but I do not 
know as I have that feeling so much now. 

" I am afraid I love to read other books bet- 
ter than the Bible. 

" I fear, sometimes, that I felt disappointed 
when I experienced, as I have since hoped, 
peace and joy in believing, that perhaps I did 
not experience as much joy as I expected." 

These brief and fragmentary statements of 
the workings of Ellen's heart, would afford us 
material for copious reflections. Who is not 
struck with this faithfulness in dealing with her- 
self? How carefully she weighed every point 
that had any bearing upon her spiritual condi- 
tion! How consonant is all that we have read, 
with that perfect honesty and transparency of 
character which we see in her whole short life ! 
Her story most clearly reveals the workings of 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 55 

the Holy Spirit upon a heart that did not reject 
nor resist it, but in all humility submitted to its 
closest searchings ; and while she had never 
studied the deep subtleties of metaphysics, she 
had learned to search her emotions and motives, 
and to watch the w r hole operations of her mind. 
In one of these later c thoughts,' she expresses 
the fear that she loves to dwell on her character, 
before she became awakened to a sense of the 
importance of religion. It is not perhaps strange* 
that the fact should be so, because it tends to 
gratify our natural pride. The Pharisee, who 
thanked God that he was not as other men, 
expressed the natural operation of the human 
heart ; but the difference between him and Ellen 
was, that she had detected this unregenerate 
emotion. She was not only conscious of the 
feeling of self-gratulation, but she had classified 
it among the corrupt affections of our nature. 
The good Bishop Beveridge once said, that 
even his prayers had need to be forgiven, and 
his very tears needed washing over again. 
Thus, in many of Ellen's recorded experiences, 
we observe the same complicate and profound 
searchings into the innermost recesses of her 
heart, which characterised that distinguished 
servant of God. 



56 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

Take another instance, where she alludes to 
that love for her mother, which we have before 
noticed she exercised to a remarkable degree. 
It immediately comes up in her mind, and she 
tries her love to her Saviour by that high stand- 
ard. She has summoned her own deepest 
affection for the most beloved of earth, and 
been willing to abide the test. It might have 
troubled older heads and more experienced 
Christians than Ellen, to balance the seemingly 
conflicting claims, and adjust the relative degree 
of love with which each was to be regarded ; but 
it was not a point on which God would allow 
one of his own children, the lambs of Christ's 
flock, long to be in doubt. He had commanded 
in his w T ord that children should reverence and 
obey their parents in the Lord, and he had given, 
through his good providence to Ellen, parents 
whose delight it w T as to further her spiritual inter- 
ests. We need not stop to ask how it would 
have been with her under adverse circumstan- 
ces ; for God's promise is, " My grace is suffi- 
cient for thee." " As thy day is, so shall thy 
strength be." 

To notice but one other extract. Who is not 
astonished at her extreme delicacy, with regard 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 57 

to the motive that influences her to do what she 
thinks is right? She fears there are "other 
motives than a desire to glorify God." It was 
not that she would be more beloved by her fam- 
ily and friends ; it was not that she might chal- 
lenge the esteem of the world ; it was not that 
she would be more happy by doing right ; nor 
even the fear of tempting the Holy Spirit to 
depart from her, that would allowably move her 
to the performance of her duty. All these might 
have their weight, and some of them were justly 
to be regarded, but they were not sufficient. 
She must do right because it was right, and 
because God should be glorified by the lives of 
his reasonable, intelligent creatures, depending 
daily upon his bounty, and owing to him their 
creation and redemption. 

And now, are the readers of this little narra- 
tive sensible that they are acting from the high 
and holy motives that constrained Ellen to give 
herself to the service of God ; or are they living 
for themselves alone, "without God in the 
world?" How would each heart be affected, 
that should apply those searching tests? and 
how many of our readers are willing to examine 
themselves, and pray in the words of the 



58 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

Psalmist, "Search me, God, and know my 
heart ; try me, and know my thoughts ?" 
Should a course of faithful self-examination be 
pursued, similar to that which was marked out 
for herself by this child, there w T ould be less 
room for the excuse that religion was a matter 
of doubtful evidence, and that our own need 
of it was too questionable to induce an effort 
for its acquirement. 

While all this was in progress, there were 
many conversations which cannot here be 
detailed. She expressed her mind with the 
utmost readiness, except as deep feeling would 
at times hinder her utterance. Her eyes were 
often bathed in tears, and sometimes she would 
come from her room in agony of mind, as she 
read some fearful warning in the Bible, which 
she thought might apply to her. She once came 
to her father in the greatest distress, and with 
streaming eyes, and pointed to the passage in 
the 10th of Hebrews, 26th and 27th verses : 
"For if we sin wilfully, after that we have 
received the knowledge of the truth, there 
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a cer- 
tain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery 
indignation which shall devour the adversa- 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 59 

ries." She was somewhat comforted with the 
assurance that this could hardly apply to the 
case of a child, who now in the morning of life 
was trying to turn to the Saviour, and give her 
heart to him ; but her father, perceiving from 
her manner, that her doubts and alarm were not 
wholly removed, took the Bible from her hands, 
and read to her the context, with such obser- 
vations as were calculated to show her that the 
passage referred to a renunciation of Christiani- 
ty in favor of Judaism, rather than to a little 
penitent girl mourning over sins of which she 
was painfully conscious. But still her express- 
ive eyes betrayed uneasiness and anxiety. She 
said that she had never met with this passage 
before, or if she had, she had read it carelessly, 
and without any impression, but that now she 
must be satisfied in regard to its meaning. 
Her father reminded her that she had in the 
house Scott's Commentary, which her friend 
and namesake, Mrs. May, had given her, and 
that that excellent work should be consulted. 
The appropriate volume was instantly procured, 
and Scott's note on Heb. x. 26, 27, was care- 
fully read ; and it was with infinite relief that 
Ellen learned from his exposition, that the apos- 



60 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

tie had reference to the sin of wilful and delib- 
erate apostacy from the true faith, and not to 
the sin of a baptized and penitent believer. It 
may be well, for the benefit of other fearful and 
trembling children of God who may read this 
narrative, and who may have experienced some- 
thing of the spiritual trouble which afflicted 
Ellen, to make a brief extract from Scott's note, 
since all may not have a copy of his Commen- 
tary at hand. He remarks : 

u The Hebrews would be strongly tempted 
to apostacy, not only by the virulence of their 
persecuting countrymen, but their own undue 
attachment to the legal sacrifices. So long as 
they supposed that the blood of bulls, lambs, 
or goats c could take away sin,' they would 
hope for pardon and salvation even in renoun- 
cing Christianity, and so escaping persecution ; 
and thus they might be induced to l sin wilfully, 
after they had received the knowledge of the 
truth.' The whole argument shows that the 
Apostle principally intended a wilful, deliberate, 
and pertinacious apostacy ; not the effect of 
ignorance or sudden surprise ; but against the 
convictions of their own consciences, and in a 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 61 

presumptuous and obstinate manner : though 
he expressed himself in such language as might 
also warn the readers against every kind of 
wilful, deliberate, and presumptuous sin. The 
persons spoken of were such as had c received 
the knowledge of the truth,' and were so en- 
lighted in respect of the evidences and doc- 
trines of Christianity, as to make a credible and 
intelligent profession of it, even in the time of 
the Apostles. When this had preceded a wilful 
renunciation of Christianity to return to Judaism, 
either from a determined purpose of escaping 
persecution, or from proud and carnal enmity 
to the humiliating and spiritual truths of the 
gospel, would be generally fatal. In respect 
of such apostates, c there remained no more 
sacrifice for sin.' " 

That great religious work had now taken 
deep hold of Ellen's heart. She could hardly 
be interested in any other subject. She at- 
tended to her duties at home and at school, 
because they were duties^ and she was most 
conscientious in their discharge ; while it was 
evident that her heart was not in them, but was 
strongly exercised by something else. Much 
6 



62 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

of her leisure time she spent in private. Her 
closet witnessed the frequency and the fervency 
of her prayers. She seemed hardly to desire 
her ordinary food, and for a time it was feared 
that if she did not meet with early relief, reason 
must wander from her throne. This season of 
distress, however, was not of long continuance. 
Her heavenly Father, in whom she trusted with 
such filial confidence, did give her a comfortable 
"freedom from doubt in his own good time," 
according to her earnest prayer ; and the Spirit 
administered its consolations after the great 
adversary had sufficiently tried her. She be- 
gan now to hope somewhat, though with trem- 
bling, and to set about the performance of her 
religious duties. 

The following is an extract from a letter 
written to Judge Woodward by Dr. May, the 
former Rector of St. Stephen's, at whose hands 
it will be remembered Ellen received baptism, 
and after whose excellent lady she had been 
named. It would naturally be a source of high 
gratification to them to hear of that child's pro- 
gress in the divine life. The letter is dated 

"July 3d, 1849. 

"When I read what you wrote of your 



EARNEST STRUGGLES. 63 

daughter Ellen, my heart overflowed. God be 
gracious to the child! Yea, let his name be 
praised for the grace already given. We join 
our hearts to yours and Mrs. W.'s in thanks to 
his name. The Lord forbid we should cease to 
pray for her. I know the Master whom she is 
to serve is most gracious. His yoke is easy 
and his burden is light. Satan and a heart of 
unbelief may at times say otherwise. Some- 
times the heavenly walk may seem to be up 
hill. But he that endureth to the end shall be 
saved. 'My grace is sufficient for thee,' is our 
Saviour's gracious assurance. The word of 
God and prayer are the mighty means. Let 
her learn that word, let it dw T ell in her heart, 
and then let her keep faithfully to the closet, 
and commune w T ith her God and Saviour in 
secret, and all good things shall be given her 
abundantly. Though the journey through the 
wilderness may seem long and wearisome, God 
goes with his people and feeds them w r ith 
manna, and then the promised land lies beyond. 
Be thou faithful unto death is our Saviour's 
language, and I will give thee a crown of life. 
Say to Ellen we loved her before for her pa- 
rents' sake and for her own sake ; now we love 
her for the Lord's sake." 



64 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

Among Ellen's papers the following letter 
was found, which , it is supposed, she wrote in 
answer to so much of the above as referred to 
her, but which she never sent. It is like most 
of the papers which she has left, without a date. 

" Perhaps you may be surprised at my wri- 
ting to you, but I want to tell you that I am 
very much obliged to you for what you wrote 
to me in your letter, and I hope I shall try to 
profit by it. I have often thought that I would 
like to have you write something to me about 
religion, and I would be very happy to receive 
a letter from you if convenient. I know that 
religion is everything, that without it we cannot 
be really happy, and that with it we are happy. 
I have very many unbelieving thoughts, such as 
that Christ does not love me, that I have sinned 
beyond mercy, &c. I often feel that I have not 
true penitence for my sin, but I trust that I will 
not be deceived in regard to that great question. 
I need counsel and advice, and would like to 
have you counsel and advise me. Please to 
give a great deal of love to Mrs. May for me, 
and tell her that I shall ever remember her with 
deep affection." 



CHAPTER V. 



Some time during the summer Ellen marked 
out for herself the following : — 

" System of spending the Sabbath, — 

" If I live, 

"If I have time, learn a hymn or a psalm 
before I go to church. 

" Spend the time between church and dinner 
in trying to think of my heavenly Father and 
my Saviour. 

" After dinner spend half an hour in studying 
the Bible in some way, either by the question 
book or my own questions. 

" Read half or quarter of an hour in the 
c Fountain of Life.' 

" Then be alone with my heavenly Father 
and my Saviour. 

"Read over hymns, and perhaps learn some. 

6 * (65) 



Ob ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

" Try to teach the children something. 

" Go alone and pray. 

" Try to talk about my soul with somebody." 

The words "if I live," seem to have been 
added at the head of this list after the rest had 
been written, as indicated by their position in 
the page. Though always in the enjoyment of 
good general health, and never visited with any 
alarming illness, the idea seemed often to come 
into her thoughtful mind, that she might not 
live long, and we have good assurance that she 
was preparing for the summons at any moment. 

It will be noticed that she refers in this list 
to her own questions, by which she was accus- 
tomed to study the Bible, and we have already 
had a specimen of them, which gives us an 
insight into the manner in which she studied the 
sacred volume. 

" In addition to her strictly biblical studies, she 
devoted much time to religious reading. When 
this " system" was made out, she was reading 
"The Fountain of Life," an excellent work by 
Flavel. There is another copy of her plan, 
where the " Obligation of the World to the 
Bible," is mentioned. She was also much in- 



PLAN FOR THE SABBATH. 67 

terested in that truly valuable book of Abbott's, 
" The Young Christian," and from this she 
derived very essential benefit, as we shall after- 
wards have occasion to notice. She was fami- 
liar with "Doddridge's Rise and Progress," 
and many other books of a similar character, 
which it is not needful to specify. It w T as quite 
observable, that she never manifested a taste for 
works of fiction, and she could hardly under- 
stand how any one could be interested in them. 
If the children brought home a book from the 
Sunday school library, or any of the family were 
reading a narrative, her first question would be 
" Is it true ?" If there was any doubt about this, 
it had no charm for her, and her truth-loving 
mind would turn from the most fascinating 
story if it w r ere destitute of this essential element 
of interest. There are some who can appreciate 
this feeling when they realize that "truth is 
more wonderful than fiction," even if they have 
not yet loved truth as Ellen did, for its own 
sake ; and happy would it be for all, if they 
could at the close of life, look back upon no 
time wasted in worse than profitless reading. 
She had no regrets of that kind, even in her 
short life, and she derived a far higher pleasure 
6* 



68 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

from her few choice companions which minis- 
tered to her spiritual improvement, than that 
transient, though unsatisfactory enjoyment, 
which the worldling derives from the exciting 
romance. 

It is surprising also to notice Ellen's industry 
upon the Sabbath. With her various occupa- 
tions it could never become a dull or gloomy 
day. It was not a burden imposed upon her 
by others, but a plan which she formed for her- 
self, for her own benefit. It proves that the 
Sabbath can be made a happy day even to chil- 
dren; and if the earthly rest was so pleasantly 
occupied, we may have full confidence, that she 
was ready for the heavenly, upon which she so 
soon and so suddenly entered. 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE CONFIRMATION. 

The time was now approaching for another 
confirmation. Nearly a year had elapsed since 
the last, and it was natural, in view of all those 
deep feelings by which her heart had been 
exercised, that Ellen should think of coming 
forward as a candidate. She had listened with 
the utmost attention to the course of preparatory 
sermons which had been preached, and con- 
versed freely about them from Sunday to Sunday 
with her parents. It was no doubt a time of 
great trial and of earnest prayer. A decision 
must now be made in reference to the call, 
either to go forward or remain where she was. 
She was called upon in that rite to renew her 
baptismal vows and take upon herself the obli- 
gations. She was called upon to say whether 
she would acknowledge Christ openly before the 

(69) 



70 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

church and the world, and cast in her lot with 
the Lord's people, or be identified with the 
opposite class. There was no doubt in the 
minds of any who knew her, of her qualification 
for the rite ; the only doubt was with herself. 
Judging so modestly of her own worth, writing 
so often bitter things against herself, diffident 
about her own religious state, and often fearing 
that she was acting with improper motives, it is 
not to be wondered at that she had some trouble 
in deciding. She felt the earnest desire and 
realized it to be a duty ; and these at last pre- 
vailed over every other consideration, and she 
went forward. 

The confirmation was appointed for Wednes- 
day evening, August 1st, 1849, and took place 
at an interesting time during the session of the 
North-eastern Convocation. Never shall we 
forget her appearance as she stood that night in 
the presence of a large congregation, with that 
small number at the chancel, robed in white, 
the outward emblem of her own purity and 
innocence, and received at the hands of our 
beloved Bishop, that ancient rite. It was a 
scene of almost too deep and absorbing interest 
to be enjoyed, but one which angels would 



THE CONFIRMATION. 71 

behold in its true light. Many an one can 
remember even the tones of our spiritual father's 
voice as he stood over this young disciple and 
prayed, " Defend, Lord, this thy child with 
thy heavenly grace ; that she may continue thine 
for ever, and daily increase in thy Holy Spirit 
more and more, until she come unto thy ever- 
lasting kingdom ;" and many an one in that 
crowded church was moved to tears at the sight 
so seldom witnessed, — a child giving herself 
to the service of God. It was a scene that can 
never fade from the memory of her young com- 
panions and friends ; and it will often recur to 
her parents and family with solemn satisfaction. 
The rite, had, in her case, the effect which it 
was intended to have in all. It did confirm and 
strengthen her. She felt that she had now taken 
a decided step. She had identified herself with 
the people of God. Her position w T as well 
defined. That renunciation of the world, its 
pomps, and vanities ; of the flesh and the devil ; 
that declaration of faith ; and that promise of 
obedience made in her early baptism, she had 
now renewed in the simple words " I do." She 
had placed herself anew, and of her own ac- 
cord, in covenant relation with God, and might 



72 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

thenceforth look for the promised grace. She 
could truly join in the language of the hymn 
that was then sung, and sing with the spirit as 
well as the understanding, — 

" 'Tis done, the great transaction's done ; 

Deign, gracious Lord, to make me thine ; 
Help me through grace to follow on, 

Glad to confess thy voice divine. 

" Here rest my oft divided heart, 
Fixed on thy God, thy Saviour, rest ; 

Who with the world would grieve to part, 
When called on angel's food to feast 1 

" High heaven that heard the solemn vow, 
That vow renewed shall daily hear, 

Till in life's latest hour I bow, 
And bless in death a bond so dear." 

Soon after her confirmation she wrote the 
following account of herself, which was found 
among her papers. 

"August 6th, 1849. 

" I do not know exactly whether I am a 
Christian or not. One reason why I doubt it 
is, because I have so little, perhaps no anxiety 
for the souls of others ; but at any rate I will 
try by God's blessing to write a faithful account 
of myself, my convictions, and feelings. Last 



THE CONFIRMATION. 73 

summer I had many serious thoughts about my 
soul. I hope that I earnestly desired, and even 
longed to be a Christian, but I did not remain, 
if I recollect rightly, more than two or three 
days in an anxious and sad state, when one day 
I was sitting in this very room, and was, I be- 
lieve, reading in the Bible, when I came to a 
verse something about believing in Christ, and 
it seemed as if I could believe, and then I felt 
more peaceful and happy ; but I am afraid that 
perhaps since, I have felt a little disappointed 
that I did not have more ecstatic joy. I think 
the very next day, or soon after, I thought that 
I had not felt bad long enough. I have not 
that fervent love, those fervent desires for the 
glory of God which it seems to me most Chris- 
tians have. Some weeks back I w T as enveloped 
by dark doubts, and I think ever since have had 
more or less doubts (at times), of being a true 
Christian, but I hope that I am His for time and 
eternity. I have lately been reading books upon 
conversion, and have been much in the habit 
of retiring for secret reading and prayer. I 
hope I have enjoyed and do enjoy my Sab- 
baths, and I have formed a system to be ob- 
served on that day in regard to my reading, 
7 



74 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

prayer, &c. I sometimes feel very cold, and 
have very little faith in my Saviour." 

This seems to end somewhat abruptly, as do 
several other of her similar meditations. She 
seized upon the passing moment to pen her 
thoughts as they came freshly' into her mind, 
and was often called off in the midst of the 
exercise to some other duty ; but it is evident 
that she spent much time in this way, in the 
profitable work of self-examination. 

The same must be said of this as was said 
of the first letter which she addressed to her 
pastor, viz., that it is a remarkable paper for 
one of her age. How few are ready to go into 
their chambers, and, with pen in hand, deal 
with their own souls with such undiviating hon- 
esty ! If there was a single dark doubt, it must 
be brought into the open daylight. If there 
was a lingering defect in her experience, or a 
failure in any duty, it must be rectified. While, 
on the other hand, if there was a single hope or 
ground of confidence, it must be closely ex- 
amined and never allowed more than its right- 
ful influence ; too often less, far less than justice 
required. 

But we have other papers to examine. 



THE CONFIRMATION. 75 

cc MEDITATION WRITTEN MONDAY AFTERNOON. 

" Last summer, I was awakened, I think in 
in the month of August, and felt very badly two 
or three days, and found one day what was 
peace and joy in believing. But what have 
been my feelings since that time ? I think I 
went on for a time comfortably, but oh how have 
doubts agitated me ! I am a poor miserable 
hard-hearted sinner. c how dark and vain 
and wild 5 is my heart ! I am afraid I have too 
much seZ/'-dependence. But oh help me to rely 
entirely on Christ for salvation ! I know that 
there is no other way to be saved than relying 
on Christ, and by having faith in him ; and oh 
I must persevere in seeking till I find." 

We shall often be led to notice the emphatic 
manner in which she .wrote. She indicated the 
deep feeling of her heart by the frequent use of 
italics; and wherever this is observed in her 
writings, it is her own. 

Sometimes her meditations would be ex- 
pressed still more strictly in the form of a 
prayer, like the two following : 

"lam a poor sinner in the sight of God, 
7 



76 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

guilty of innumerable offences, of omission as 
well as commission. I have lived a life of 
indifference, or at least once did, and now have 
not that anxiety, intense anxiety which the con- 
sideration of the things of religion ought to pro- 
duce. I do not, I am afraid., feel sin as much 
of a burden as I know I ought to ; but oh, 
heavenly Father, don't let me ever feel rebel- 
lious against thee, but oh help me to love holi- 
ness because thou lovest it; and to hate sin 
because thou hatest it ! make me not so 
much to desire deliverance from the conse- 
quences as from the power of sin, for Jesus 
Christ's sake! Amen." 

" I have lived all my life in secret if not open 
rebellion against God. I have despised the 
offers of mercy. This hard and wicked heart 
is constantly rebelling against all that is good. 
What sin ! how much of it is in my heart ! 
When Christ offers me eternal life, I have not 
come to him with an humble and penitent heart ; 
but have, I am afraid, been conquered by pride, 
instead of conquering it. But Jesus, have 
mercy upon me, and help me to be willing to 
give up anything for the sake of becoming a 
Christian ! Help me to know and feel that it is 



THE CONFIRMATION. 77 

my duty as well as my pleasure to love thee 
and serve thee, for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen." 

These various papers, written in that spirit 
of truthfulness and candour for which Ellen 
was so remarkable, let us fully into her mind, 
her most secret thoughts. They are the out- 
ward expression of those feelings of which she 
was plainly conscious. There was no conceal- 
ment with her. She did not wish to be con- 
sidered a Christian, if she w r ere not such. She 
thought more humbly of herself than others 
thought of her. There was no show of affected 
piety ; she was truthful in the most trivial things ; 
much more would she strive to be so in the 
momentously important subject of religion. 



7* 



CHAPTER VII. 

CHRISTIAN EFFORTS. 

It will be seen by referring to a previous 
paper, that she expressed a doubt as to her 
Christian character, because she had " so little, 
perhaps no anxiety for the souls of others." 
But here as in many other cases, she was too 
modest to do herself justice. The manner in 
which to do good to the souls of others would 
not be so evident to the mind of a child, as to 
an adult; and yet, when any act or plan of 
usefulness was proposed to her, it could be 
immediately seen that she was ready to do 
any thing, or to make any sacrifice. She often 
wished to deny herself articles of luxury in her 
daily food, that she might devote the money 
saved thereby to purposes of benevolence. 
This was in accordance with a plan proposed 
by a former pastor, that the children of the Sun- 
(78) 



CHRISTIAN EFFORTS. 79 

day school should earn the money which they 
contributed for missions, by some labour or 
self-denial, instead of depending upon their 
parents immediately for their weekly gift. 

Her father once proposed establishing a 
Sunday school in a neglected neighbourhood 
not far from their residence, at which her coun- 
tenance lighted up with joy, and she clapped 
her hands, as if she had been invited to some 
party of pleasure, or interesting scene of recrea- 
tion ; — and she would doubtless have entered 
into it, had her life been spared, with all the 
zeal of a self-devoted missionary. 

But there are more tangible proofs of her 
interest in the spiritual welfare of others ; and 
her first affectionate efforts were put forth, where 
it is always so difficult to speak upon the subject 
of religion, — among the members of her own 
family. It is known that she wrote to both of 
her brothers, older than herself, but unfortu- 
nately her letters have not been preserved. The 
following is a fragment of the first draft of a 
letter written in pencil to one of them, found 
among her papers : 

"Dear , 



" Do you ever think about the things of reli- 



80 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

gion? let us be Christ's disciples! how 
often have we grieved the Holy Spirit! But 
still I trust there is mercy for us through the 
blood of Jesus Christ. It is no light thing to 
hear all the sermons that we do, and have all 
the means of grace that we have, and yet re- 
main indifferent. And why should we remain 
indifferent ? We each of us have souls to save. 
Our heavenly Father wants us to remember him 
now, in the days of our youth. I dare say you 

will laugh at this note, but, , religion is a 

serious thing. Let us pray for ourselves ; and 
may we become true Christians." ■ * * * 

The following postscript was appended to 
one of her mother's letters, addressed to ano- 
ther brother. 

"Perhaps I have done wrong not to have 
written to you for so long, but if I have, you 

must forgive me. , let us seek for peace 

with God 'now in the days of our youth.' Let 
us pray for each other, and let us ' strive to 
enter in at the strait gate.' " 

She had about this time listened to a sermon 
from the closing words of this postscript which 
may somewhat account for her earnestness. 



CHRISTIAN EFFORTS. 81 

The following letter was written to Miss 
Butler, who it will be remembered from the 
introductory note at the commencement of the 
memoir, perished with her in the waters on that 
sad morning. It was left by Ellen in Miss B.'s 
work-basket, and w T as found there after her 
death. 

" Hillside, Wednesday evening. 

" Dear Ann : 

" do let us think about the things pertain- 
ing to our everlasting welfare. What would 
be more pleasant than for you and I to travel 
together the path that leads to heaven? I 
know that I am exceedingly unworthy, but I 
thought perhaps it was my duty to write to you 
on this subject. We know what our duty is. 
We know it is to repent of our sins before God, 
to believe in Jesus Christ, to have our entire 
trust in Him for salvation, and then will follow 
a life of holy heartfelt obedience. The promise 
of God is, — and we are told that God cannot 
lie, — 'they that seek me early shall find me.' 
" From your affectionate friend, 

" Ellen." 

It may be proper here to say a few words 
w T ith regard to the young lady to whom this 



82 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

note was addressed. Ann Butler became an 
inmate of Judge Woodward's family in her 
early childhood, and remained there until the 
time of her death, with the exception of a few 
weeks spent at her sister's, after the time of 
Judge W.'s removal from Wilkesbarre to Hill- 
side, on the opposite bank of the Susquehanna. 
She was much beloved by all the family for her 
pleasing manners, her peculiarly sweet temper, 
and lovely disposition. She was ever found a 
most valuable assistant in the care of the chil- 
dren, and grew up to be regarded as a daughter 
herself, sharing the privileges and companion- 
ship of the children of that household. She 
w T as some years older than Ellen, and there 
grew up between them a strong and ardent 
affection. They lived together like sisters, and 
as sisters did they love each other. Up to the 
time of the removal, to which allusion has just 
been made, Ann was a member of St. Stephen's 
Sunday school, and was always regarded as an 
attentive and interesting scholar. She joined 
very readily in the before-mentioned Sunday 
afternoon exercise in the Judge's family, and 
always seemed interested in the subjects then 
discussed. During the winter previous to the 



CHRISTIAN EFFORTS. 83 

removal of which we have here spoken, she 
began to manifest a deep anxiety about her soul, 
while attending the sick-bed of a friend, in 
whose room prayer meetings were occasionally 
held by Ministers of the Methodist Church ; 
and under the influence of these circumstances, 
Ann took the preparatory steps towards a union 
with that church. After returning to Hillside, 
however, and falling into the accustomed train 
of duties, she pursued the matter no further, 
little being said to her upon the subject of her 
particular church connexion, from motives of 
delicacy, and a wish that she should not be 
over-influenced in her choice, though it w r ould 
be most natural that the family should wish her 
to be connected with them in that deeply inte- 
resting relation. For the year previous to her 
death, she had attended church with them as 
before. She had made no farther progress 
towards a full profession, and yet, from her 
constant walk and character, from her interest 
in the means of grace, which were so freely 
open to her, and from the feeling at times mani- 
fested, w r e have good hope that her heart was 
right, and that the summons, sudden as it was, 
found her ready. Ellen's strong love for her 



84 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

early companion and friend, was seen in that 
last hour. She rushed forward to rescue the 
sinking ones, and exerted her utmost strength 
to relieve them from their threatened destruction. 
What was said of Saul and Jonathan, may be 
truly said of them. "They were lovely and 
pleasant in their lives, and in their death they 
were not divided." (1 Sam. i. 23.) 

The full influence of Ellen's walk and con- 
duct iipon her friend cannot here be known, 
but it was no doubt more than was apparent. 
The affectionate effort for her soul we have no- 
ticed, and we know that it was enforced by a 
faithful, daily Christian life. that all young 
disciples might be as faithful to their dear asso- 
ciates ! How strongly would the gospel be felt 
in families, and schools; in neighbourhoods and 
communities ! The habit, too, would be early 
acquired, and that habit would be of inestimable 
worth as the child grew into youth, and youth 
became blended in man or womanhood, with 
all its important duties and vast responsibilities. 
It is from the want of such good and active 
habits developed by young Christians during 
their early discipleship, that the church is so 
sadly suffering ; and by a want of which she is 
robbed of so much of her moral power. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

THE COMMUNION. 

Our narrative now draws near the i\me when 
Ellen was about to approach the communion- 
table and remember her Saviour's parting com- 
mand to his disciples, " This do in remembrance 
of me." She felt the duty pressing upon h^r 
to participate in that second and only other 
sacrament which our Lord has enjoined. She 
did not rush to that table in haste, as if every- 
thing had now been done, and the holy feast 
must be partaken of as a matter of course. 
Though she had trodden the earlier stages of 
the Christian walk so carefully, she was yet de- 
sirous of leaving nothing undone, no duty un- 
performed, that would make her more ready for 
that solemn act. Though she was supposed by 
her pastor to be fully prepared, yet she was not 
urged, and the time when she would come was 

8 (85) 



8b ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

left mostly for herself to determine. It would 
seem that the qualifications required for confir- 
mation are as high in every particular as those* 
for full communion ; for they are precisely the 
same as the candidate for adult baptism would 
be required to have when coming forward to 
that sacrament. Therefore a person who was 
prepared for the one would be prepared for the 
other, for in the rite of confirmation the candi- 
date ratifies and acknowledges all that was pre- 
viously done by sponsors in the early adminis- 
tration of the sacrament. Still it was thought 
best in Ellen's case that she should judge for 
herself, and that she w T ould be more satisfied, 
and the ordinance would be received with 
greater benefit, if she came after carefully 
making up her own mind, as upon a new pre- 
sentation of the question. And this seemed to 
be the result. 

In her little journal which she was at this 
time keeping, she makes the following note. 

"To-day Mr. Miles talked with me about 
coming to the communion, but I told him I 
thought that I had better wait till another time." 

This has no date except "Saturday even- 



THE COMMUNION. 87 

ing," but it must have been about the first of 
October. The next day we have another, as 
follows : 

"Sunday evening. To-day I did not par- 
take of the communion. I thought perhaps I 
had better wait till another occasion, which 
would give me more time to think about it ; 
but perhaps I ought to have partaken to-day." 

She first came to the communion on the first 
Sunday in November, 1849 ; and we find in 
her journal the following mention of it : 

" Sunday evening. This morning partook 
for the first time of the holy communion ; was 
not as much affected by it as I ought to have 
been, but hope it may be blest to my soul." 

" Sunday evening. To-day partook of the 
holy communion, and hope it was and may be 
blest to my soul." 

The last time she received the communion 
w T as on that bright Christmas morning, when 
we entered our freshly wreathed courts to give 



88 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

praise for a Saviour's birth ; and before another 
season of the church on earth, she was enjoying 
a better communion with the saints in that upper 
and better temple. 

There have been few Christians, probably, 
who have derived so much benefit from this 
ordinance, for the few times it was received, as 
Ellen did ; and she enjoyed it all the more, and 
the benefit resulting from it was the greater, from 
the manner in which it was approached. It 
was used as a means of grace, and not as an 
outward rite, which as a matter of course would 
constitute her a Christian. It was accompanied 
with the most faithful self-examination, with 
meditation and prayer; and it had the effect, 
doubtless designed by the divine Saviour him- 
self, in leaving that memorial of his love, viz : 
of quickening love in return, operating as a 
renewal of the Christian profession, and acting 
as a means of grace to strengthen and comfort. 
It had the effect alluded to in article XXV. 
where, in speaking of the sacraments, it is said 
that by them God " doth not only quicken, but 
also strengthen and confirm our faith in him." 
Certain it is, that she received great comfort, 
and her Christian character became more de- 



THE COMMUNION. 89 

finitely settled. She still pursued a rigorous 
course with regard to herself ; but she had taken 
every outward step required, she had identified 
herself fully with the church in all its interests, 
and she w r as now enjoying in some good mea- 
sure a reward of peace. We may bless God 
when we remember her case, that in his wis- 
dom he furnished such means to comfort and 
strengthen his own children ; and we may also 
see how necessary it is, that all who would wish 
to enjoy the condition of his children, either 
here or in the world to come, should go faith- 
fully forward in the way of duty as Ellen did. 

Perhaps, at this stage, our young readers 
may wish to know more particularly what was 
Ellen's general appearance as she mingled 
among her companions. So many have the 
erroneous impression that religion is a gloomy 
subject, it may be well to disabuse their minds 
by referring to our young friend, just as she 
appeared. We have already spoken of her as 
having an exceedingly happy disposition : and 
no one was more universally beloved among her 
school-mates and companions for those traits 
that endear the young to each other. There 
was nothing in the least demure or repulsive in 
8* 



90 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

her habits. She acted with the simplicity of a 
child whose life was happy, because her heart 
was right. And who can be more really happy 
than the true Christian, whose daily blessings 
come from a heavenly Father's hand ? 

The following note from her parents will 
throw more positive light upon her character 
and habits : 

" She was gay and frolicsome among her 
young companions, exceedingly fond of fun. 
Mirthfulness and joy marked all her intercourse 
in society, insomuch that a superficial observer 
would not have distinguished her in a group of 
girls, except perhaps for her liveliness and buoy- 
ancy. And yet these things would have been 
observable : 1st, that her sportsand mirthfulness 
and gaiety were all innocent ; 2d, that her strict 
conscientiousness would appear the instant there 
was any approach to that which was wrong or 
questionable. For example : in a walk over 
the hills with some girls, their path led across 
a neighbor's grain-field. She hesitated and 
doubted, though I believe she followed the rest, 
but afterwards made it the subject of anxious 
inquiry with her mother, and betrayed uneasi- 



THE COMMUNION. 91 

ness and sorrow on account of the trespass, 
though the grain being young no damage was 
done, and the owner living out of the sight of 
the field had no knowledge, and could have 
none, of the fact. Romping with some girls at 
school, they went into a vacant room, in viola- 
tion of a general rule of the seminary. She 
sought Miss D.'s forgiveness, and recorded the 
fault in her journal. Last summer she went 
with a party of young companions to Harvey's 
Lake. The day was pleasantly spent, and full 
of adventure. When the party returned, they 
hastened to recount to the family the events of 
the day ; but it was observed that Ellen, who 
had come in with the rest, and greeted those 
who remained at home, was missing. She had 
retired to her chamber for reading, meditation, 
and prayer. Thus w T as it constantly apparent, 
that though as fond of recreation, particularly 
the pleasures of the country, as any one, and 
sometimes carried away by her naturally high 
spirits, so as to be, as she often called herself, 
wild; — when the excitement of the occasion 
was over, her thoughts returned to their accus- 
tomed channel, and her religious duties were 
not neglected." 



CHAPTER IX. 

ellen's journal. 

Another incident in the religious life of the 
subject of this memoir, which shows that she 
w 7 as in earnest in the work upon which she had 
entered, is the journal which she kept. The 
Christian name and profession which she had 
assumed were not enough. She was ready to 
make use of every means that could assist her 
in spiritual improvement and growth. In fur- 
therance of this, a diary was commenced, ac- 
cording to the recommendation of a writer from 
w T hose book she derived much benefit. Her 
mother has transcribed the following notes, 
which we here insert with the accompanying 
explanation : 

"Dear Ellen's simple little diary consists 

(92) 



ellen's journal. 93 

entirely of confessions of her daily sins, with 
scarce any remark or reflections. She was 
probably induced to commence it, from having 
read something on the subject in c Abbott's 
Young Christian, 5 a book of which she was 
very fond. In a chapter devoted to i Personal 
Improvement, 5 under the head of correcting 
faults, he advises going into minute detail in 
private prayer; and as a mode of correcting 
particular faults, to confess them in writing. 
Her object then, no doubt, was, to confess her 
faults in writing, that she might the more 
forcibly impress them on her mind, before her 
final prayer on retiring to rest. This duty of 
kneeling in private prayer before she retired, 
she never neglected under any circumstances, 
not even w r hen young friends were staying w 7 ith 
her, whom she knew to be indifferent on the 
subject of religion, and who must witness this 
performance of her duty. She was equally 
punctual on rising in the morning, never suffer- 
ing the presence of others, nor the hurry of 
preparation for breakfast, nor severity of wea- 
ther, to hinder her from the duty the moment 
she left her bed. 

" There are several scraps of paper on which 



94 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

she had written instances of some particular 
fault ; but the first little book, appears to have 
been commenced c August 7th, 1849. 5 She 
did not at first write every evening, but at inter- 
vals sometimes of two or three days. This 
work she appears to have continued for a month 
or more ; but there are so few dates by days of 
the month, as to make it difficult to tell the 
exact time. She dates by the days of the week, 
and I should think, after about the first of Sep- 
ter, the days are put down successively without 
any intermission. This diary w T as kept entirely 
for her own benefit, without the least idea that 
any one would ever see it, and probably with 
the intention of destroying it, after keeping it a 
time for review, as Mr. Abbott recommends. 
Indeed she may have destroyed some of the 
books which were first written, though I rather 
think not. Of course there are many things 
relating to family and school affairs which it is 
not proper that any but her most intimate friends 
should read. Indeed I almost feel myself, as 
though I were doing wrong in thus looking into 
the recesses of her heart. She was so very 
candid and confiding, telling me so freely all 
her faults, that I did not wish to know anything 



ellen's journal. 95 

which she felt was entirely between herself and 
her God. For this reason, though I knew that 
she was in the habit of writing something every 
night, I never asked her to tell me what it was, 
nor did I ever read a word of it until after her 
death. I will only copy a few things here and 
there, which may serve to show the low estima- 
tion in which she held herself both in the sight 
of God and man." 

"August 7th, 1849. Have felt dull to-day. 
This afternoon had a season of refreshment. 
Am entirely too much devoted to self, and live 
too little to the glory of God. 

" Have felt doubtful to-day as to my true 
religious character, and have doubts almost 
constantly. Have felt, I am afraid, part of the 
time a distaste for the pleasures of religion. 
Have felt rather better this afternoon, which 
good feeling I generally obtain by reading and 
prayer." 

" To-day have not felt that earnest longing 
after holiness of heart, which I know I ought 
to feel. Have been a little tyrannical. Have 
had many proud thoughts." 

"Have felt about as usual to-day. Have 



96 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

been rather too wild. Have not had much 
spiritual-mindedness." 

"Have felt as usual to-day. Have given 
way to my wicked temper sometimes. Have 
been very jealous." 

" Saturday evening. To-day have felt some 
little submission of heart to God. Have not 
felt so much anxiety about having my sins par- 
doned." 

" I have had much pride and jealousy to-day, 
and have spoken cross several times, and have 
been very selfish." 

" To-day have felt cold and indifferent com- 
paratively. Because I did a few acts of kind- 
ness, felt very proud about it, and did them 
more from motives of pure selfishness than from 
love to God." 

" Saturday evening. To-day have felt some 
little submission of heart to God. It seems as 
if I had no more those longings after being 
God's child that I once had. I am constantly 
so cold and indifferent, it almost discourages 
me. Oh, it is no wonder that I should feel so 
indifferent, when I think how worldly I have 
been. How often I have done what was wrong ! 
I ought to be filled with shame." 



ellen's journal. 97 

" Sunday evening. I have been trying to 
review the past week to-day, and find that I 
have been living far away from God. Have 
felt my heart a little warmed by the exercises 
of the day, but am afraid that with to-morrow 
will return my accustomed indifference." 

" To-day have felt no more love than usual. 
Oh, that God would breathe into my soul more 
holy desires, and feelings." 

" To-day have been very foolish, have said 
many proud things, and have been too little like 
Christ." 

" Saturday evening. To-day have felt but 
little fervour, but to-night ma has been talking 
with me and tells me, as she has told me before, 
that everything does not depend upon the feel- 
ings in religion, but that we ought to carry 
religion into everything we do. Spoke rather 
impatiently to ma and grand-ma to-day. 

" To-day have not had that wish to do right, 
which I should think a Christian would have." 

u To-day there were exercises in the morning, 
and I had much pride. This noon the girls 
were going somewhere on a kind of excursion, 
and asked me to go with them, but I refused i 
for which I was very glad, for I found after- 
9 



98 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

wards that ma did not wish me to go. But I 
ought not to have gone, because I do not think 
my heavenly Father would approve of it, al- 
though they did get excused from school." 

" This afternoon M. H. gave me (what I con- 
sidered) quite a compliment, and it made me 
feel very proud. This afternoon Miss D. re- 
proved me for something, and I answered back, 
which was very wrong. This morning I forgot 
all about reading and praying till school-time, 
when I tried to perform these duties, but did 
not succeed very well." 

" Have talked a great deal of foolishness to- 
day, and I am afraid vexed my dear mother." 

" Sunday evening. To-day have so squan- 
dered my time, that I have not fulfilled the 
system I laid out for spending Sunday in but 
one respect, and that is in regard to examining 
my conduct during the past week, which I tried 
to do." 

" To-night I was afraid to go up stairs to 
pray, and prayed a little while ago down here." 

(It ought to be mentioned here that Ellen 
was constitutionally timid. She was in the 
habit of retiring to a room up stairs for prayer 



ellen's journal. 99 

immediately after tea. Her own room being 
on the lowest floor, she would be subject there 
to more interruptions at that hour.) 

" Saturday evening. Spoke rather disre- 
spectfully to ma of some one else, or was going 
to when she stopped me. Went over to town 
to-day, and have had many proud feelings. 
Was rather afraid to go up stairs to-night to 
pray, and tried to ease my conscience in putting 
it off this late, thinking c Well, I will do it as 
soon as cousins M. and L. (who are here) are 
gone, 5 and thus have not done it as yet when I 
am going to bed." 

" Sunday evening. Have had, I hope, a 
little more fervency of spirit to-day than usual, 
though I have not performed my duties with the 
zeal which I ought to manifest." 

"Monday evening. To-day have stayed at 
home, (ma being sick,) and therefore have not 
had the same temptations that I have at school." 

" Friday evening. Have been too much 
carried away by high spirits, and consequently 
have sometimes acted very wildly. Have 
wasted a great deal of time to-day, and have 
not had constantly in my mind that the all-seeing 
eye of God was upon me." 



100 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

" Sunday evening. Have, I hope, tried to- 
day to live nearer to God than for some time 
past. Last night ma and I had a long conver- 
sation, which, I hope, had some good effect 
upon me." 

" Friday evening. This morning perhaps I 
failed in duty in not asking ma to forgive me 
for something I did yesterday, but, perhaps it 
was not worth while." 

" It might be remarked here, that poor Ellen's 
conscientiousness led her often to ask me to for- 
give her for offences which I was hardly con- 
scious she had committed, and I had often 
answered her in such a way as to make her 
think it was foolish to be so particular. Many 
times she consulted me about asking pardon of 
her teachers and others, for offences she had 
committed, which, in many instances I discou- 
raged, fearing that she would annoy them. I 
wish now that I had not done so. Throughout 
her journal cases are recorded constantly of 
offences committed at school, which are so 
interwoven with the names of others, that they 
cannot well be here inserted. In one or two 
instances she reproaches herself for not having 



ellen's journal. 101 

asked the pardon of her teachers for these 
offences." 



"Friday evening. Had that same fear about 
going up stairs again to-night, and knelt down 
here in my bed-room. Just now Cousin M., 
who is here, came into my room, and while 
here, asked me if I was writing, and said I 
ought not to do so in the cold. I was ashamed 
to tell her what I was writing." 

" Sunday evening. To-day have spent an 
idle day. Have not tried to examine my faults 
during the past week. Did not look over the 
events of this day till a little before I went to 
church, and then I am afraid did it rather im- 
perfectly. I have such a great habit of procras- 
tination, putting off till the next moment, what 
ought to be done now. 

"I am a very great coward. I am afraid 
that I have not that confidence in God's pro- 
tecting power which would give me true cou- 
rage. To-night I showed cowardice to a grea f 
extent, about a very little matter, and was afraid 
to go up stairs after tea to pray. Have nof 
endeavoured as much as possible to make 
others happy, but have been selfish." 
9* 



102 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

These extracts are sufficient to show the 
character of her journal. There could not be 
much in the even tenor of her life to give 
variety or striking incident to such a diary; and 
yet the true Christian character often shines out 
the clearest in the most common and every- day 
events of home and school. This journal she 
kept to the close of her short life, and the last 
entry was made the very night before her death. 

It may strike some who read this narrative, 
that these extracts do not show that Ellen felt 
much confidence in her own Christian charac- 
ter, and that they hardly accord with that com- 
fort and happiness which she is said to have 
received from a participation in the ordinances, 
and an effort to walk correctly in the path of 
duty. But it must be remembered that we are 
here seeing the worst of her. She is speaking 
not to us, but laying bare her heart in the pre- 
sence of that God who was searching it. It 
*was a part of the very design of the exercise to 
' criminate herself. It was not to write about 
her better feelings, her joys, and her hopes, but 
to examine herself and truly repent her of her 
faults. It has before been remarked that she 
had faults, and there was no disposition to dis- 



ellen's journal. 103 

guise them. But it must also be apparent that 
none were more aware of them than herself, 
and in many instances they were condemned 
by herself when no one else observed them. 
She often speaks of her pride, her jealousy, her 
temper, &c, but she detected them far sooner 
than others did, and truly deplored them. 
God's word says, "He. that covereth his sin 
shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and 
forsaketh them shall have mercy." And our 
Saviour says, " Blessed are the poor in spirit ; 
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven ; " " He 
that humbleth himself shall be exalted," and 
many other words of similar import he addresses 
to those who are dealing honestly with their 
own hearts, and trying to cleanse their way by 
ruling themselves after His holy word. These 
admissions and confessions are rather, on the 
contrary, a strong proof of her Christian cha- 
racter and growth in grace ; for sensitiveness on 
account of sin is always a good and healthy 
indication, showing the operations of God's 
spirit. We do see that Ellen was extremely 
sensitive, while at the same time she was very 
careful in view of her many short-comings, how 
she allowed herself to indulge a hope of her 
Christian character and condition. 



104 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

Should every one pursue the same course, 
and, as in the sight of God, drag to light every 
hidden sin and pen it down as faithfully, there 
are few who would escape doubts or fail of see- 
ing still more strongly their need of a Saviour, 
instead of a reliance upon their own imperfect 
righteousness. Let any one begin to note his 
sins of omission or of commission in the light 
of God's law, and he must soon give up all 
hope of being saved by anything but faith in 
Christ. "If thou, Lord, wilt be extreme to 
mark what is done amiss, Lord, who may 
abide it? For there is mercy with thee; there- 
fore shalt thou be feared." It was that mercy 
through Christ in which Ellen hoped and re- 
joiced, and under the influence of that hope, 
after her day of deep spiritual trial had passed, 
and with the assistance of the various means of 
grace, she was becoming an active and happy 
Christian, ripening, as her friends thought, for 
usefulness in her sphere of life on earth ; but as 
God saw, preparing for an early translation. 



CHAPTER X. 

THE SUDDEN CALAMITY. 

We now hasten to review the incidents which 
cluster around the close of Ellen's life. 

The day before Christmas, Judge Woodward 
returned from attending his courts, bringing with 
him Miss Mary R. Benner, the daughter of a 
widowed lady of Bellefonte, who had for some 
time been anticipating the pleasure of a visit to 
the Judge's family at Hillside. She was a 
lovely and favorite child, and had been in- 
trusted by her mother to the Judge's care with 
much confidence. Though somewhat incom- 
moded by the inclemency of the weather, they 
arrived in safety on Christmas Eve, and were 
ready on the coming day to engage in the public 
festal services of the church, and the more social 
enjoyments of a family gathering at home. El- 

(105) 



106 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

len had been looking forward to the promised 
visit of her new acquaintance with much delight, 
and it was a period of great enjoyment to them 
all. The time was mostly occupied with those 
happy employments around the hearth-stone, 
varied by occasional visits to their friends in 
Wilkesbarre. During this period Ellen might 
have been observed in her happiest mood, gra- 
cing the family circle with all that was lovely, 
entertaining her new friend and visiter with that 
ability and modesty for which she was so distin- 
guished, and yet never failing in all this new 
train of circumstances to keep up the faithful 
performance of her religious duties. A mind 
far less disposed towards serious things than 
Miss Benner's, might have felt the pure and 
gentle influence which was daily exercised. 
About the middle of January, their plans for 
the visit were suddenly interrupted by the over- 
flow of the Susquehanna, caused by the ice 
forming a dam below, by which the flats were 
submerged, and all communication cut off with 
Wilkesbarre, except by means of the skiffs by 
which persons were ferried across, two quite 
deep places of water covering the main road. 



THE SUDDEN CALAMITY. 107 

This prevented the family from crossing to 
attend church. In the ensuing week the river 
was completely frozen, and the w 7 hole flats pre- 
sented the appearance of a sheet of ice. 

On Saturday morning, the 19th of January, 
Ellen and two young sisters, together with Miss 
Benner, Ann Butler, and Mary Elizabeth Tot- 
ten, (who resided in the immediate neighbor- 
hood,) started out for their recreation, and went 
upon the ice formed over a little rivulet near the 
house, running into the river a few rods below. 
The ice seemed to bear them w r ell, and their 
father saw them as he passed near them to go 
over to Wilkesbarre. Ellen greeted him in her 
usual, happy manner, and, waving her handker- 
chief with the rest, passed rapidly over to the 
flats between the house and the river. Their 
purpose, as expressed, w T as to go as far as the 
ice would bear them, in order to see if they 
could cross the next morning to attend church 
in Wilkesbarre. Thus coursing on in fancied 
security and high enjoyment, suddenly Miss 
Benner broke through the ice in a place made 
a little concave by a swale in the land. Miss 
Butler ran to her assistance, and likewise fell 



108 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

in, when Ellen ran to the rescue of both. At 
this juncture Miss Totten broke through the ice 
near by, though in a place not so deep, and 
was enabled to restrain the younger children 
from going to their sister, in which act they 
would probably have lost their own lives with- 
out aiding the others. Ellen remained for a 
few minutes with her head above the water, and 
urged the others to run for aid, saying that she 
thought she could hold her place for some time. 
They first turned towards the house, but soon 
observed that they were nearer the main road 
and would be more likely to obtain assistance 
there. But by the time any aid could be pro- 
cured, and the bodies extricated and removed 
to the nearest house, life was extinct. Abun- 
dant medical aid was soon at hand, and every- 
thing that was possible done to revive them, but 
in vain. A boy had been despatched to Judge 
Woodward, who was at his office in Wilkes- 
barre, and he arrived at the place where the 
bodies lay just as all hope had been given up. 
The lifeless remains were then removed to Hill- 
side, from whence the departed ones had gone 
out in full life and health an hour or two before. 



THE SUDDEN CALAMITY. 109 

Thus suddenly passed away the spirit of Ellen 
with her two lovely companions. It was a day 
of darkness and sorrow which will be long 
remembered by the living. Death had been 
busily at work,' and many a heart had felt the 
pang. It was one of those overwhelming events 
which hinder the utterance of words, and prompt 
relief through tears. It was but the night be- 
fore when three lovely girls could be seen seated 
around a table, full of life and buoyancy, laying 
their mutual plans for future happiness, arrang- 
ing their correspondence to prolong the new- 
made friendship,— -and on Saturday evening, at 
the same hour, the same three were laid in an 
adjoining room in the embrace of death ; and 
at that same table were seated three ladies 
making their shrouds. Such are the alterna- 
tions of this mortal life ! We " fade away 
suddenly like the grass. In the morning it is 
green and groweth up ; but in the evening it is 
cut down, dried up and withered." " Be ye 
also ready ; for in such an hour as ye think not, 
the Son of man cometh." 

It is difficult to speak of the intense interest 
which was manifested throughout the commu- 
nity from the moment the event w T as known. 
10 



110 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

The ensuing night was an agitated and sleep- 
less one to many a household. Anxious friends 
were continually arriving to mingle their tears 
with the afflicted family ; and many persons 
came with curiosity from the whole surrounding 
country to look upon the face of death. 

The body of Miss Benner, was conveyed 
from Hillside on Sunday morning to arrive as 
early as possible at that home to which she had 
expected to return the same week in health and 
happiness, to greet her widowed mother. But 
alas, the changes of life ! that mother received 
but the lifeless form of her once beloved daugh- 
ter! She experienced in that trying hour the 
consolations of the religion she had professed, 
which alone could mitigate the severity of the 
stroke. 

Miss Benner had long been connected with 
the Sunday school of St. John's Church, Belle- 
fonte. She had been a member of the Bible 
class instructed by their faithful rector, Rev. G. 
W. Natt, then absent to regain his health, and 
she had continued in it under the present min- 
ister, up to the time of leaving home with Judge 
Woodward to make her visit at his house. The 
full result of that instruction upon which she 



THE SUDDEN CALAMITY. Ill 

had attended, we do not know, but it is known 
that she had expressed the determination to 
offer herself as a candidate for baptism after her 
return. She is spoken of in the highest terms 
by those who had long known her, and it is but 
justice to her memory to say, that she had 
endeared herself to her new acquaintances by 
her amiable character and deportment. 



CHAPTER XL 

THE FUNERAL. 

The funeral of Ellen and Ann Butler took 
place from Hillside on Monday morning, Jan- 
uary 21st, and though the roads were still 
obstructed with ice and water, (after much kind 
effort had been used by the people of the 
neighborhood to clear them,) it was considered 
the largest funeral that had ever been seen in 
Wilkesbarre. Many others were prevented 
from attending by the state of the roads. It 
was a day of heartfelt mourning among the 
teachers and scholars of the " Wyoming Semi- 
nary" where Ellen attended, and they were 
present in a body. The last sad offices of the 
church to which she belonged were said at her 
grave as her body was committed to the ground, 
" earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust," 
looking forward with strong faith to her joyful 

(112) 



THE FUNERAL. 113 

resurrection at the last day. In the services of 
that church, she had been dedicated to God in 
early baptism. She had ratified those vows in 
confirmation, and gone forward to full commu- 
nion ; in her short journey she had been many 
times refreshed by the Sabbath services of that 
church, and now by this closing act her mortal 
remains were hid from view, in a confident 
hope that her freed spirit was joining a better 
worship in heaven. 

A few days after Ellen's death, the follow- 
ing extract from " The Casket," a manuscript 
periodical, containing the weekly compositions 
of the young ladies of the " Wyoming Semi- 
nary," was published in the " Farmer and Jour- 
nal," at Wilkesbarre. 

" A formal announcement of the melancholy 
event which has clad our once gay and joyous 
paper in the sombre hue of mourning, is foreign 
from our purpose. Not one of our grief- 
stricken circle, but feels, already painfully and 
deeply feels, Ellen is no more. 

" Peaceful was her young heart, light her 
gentle footstep, and calm her deep and thought- 
ful eyes, that seemed to borrow their brightness 
from a purer source than the far-off sky's deep 
10* 



114 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

azure, as she left these halls on Friday evening 
to meet with us on Monday. Did we meet ? — 
the living and the dead ! we met indeed our 
Ellen, but how changed ! The eye, no longer 
radiant with intelligence and love, slept beneath 
its pale and blue-veined curtain, whose silken 
fringe lay heavy on a cheek whence the crimson 
lifetide had receded to mantle them no more. 
The bounding pulses slumbered motionless, 
for their gushing fountain suddenly grew still. 
Looked we indeed on Ellen? Nay, 'twas but 
the gem-robbed casket. The jewel that once 
adorned it — the spirit that we loved, had 
departed. Bursts from our lips the expression, 
c Mysterious, that she passed away so soon !" 
Oh ! would it not have been more mysterious 
had she lingered longer with us — had one so 
pure, so lovely, long continued an inhabitant of 
earth ! Who that knew her as we have known 
her, so generous, so self-sacrificing, so careful 
of another's feelings, and above all so careful 
of doing wrong, so anxious to prepare for eter- 
nity, could wonder that her sojourn here was 
short — that her c sun at dawn went down.' 

" A twelvemonth has not passed since even 
amid the hurry, confusion, and care preceding 



THE FUNERAL. 115 

the anniversary of our seminary — cares that too 
often cause devotion's fires to wane in more 
experienced Christian hearts — Ellen sought and 
found the peace that is not of earth, 'peace 
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 

"And shall we murmur now that the wing 
so early plumed for flight, is calmly folded on a 
brighter shore ? That the fair exotic is so soon 
reblooming in its native bed? No. Earth 
hath toil and weariness for the most untiring 
pinion; — storms, clouds, and darkness for its 
fairest, loveliest flower. We mourn indeed, 
our happy circle broken — we miss her joyous 
face, kind words, and soul of purity. Long, 
long shall we mourn her, but in resignation to 
Him, i who,' in the language of her favourite 
song, c doeth all things well.' 

" Then, Ellen, our tears shall fond memories only 
Awake from their fountain to flow o'er thy sleep, 

Though dark be thy dreamless bed, solemn and lonely- 
Heaven's watchers above thee their vigils shall keep. 

" Affection, that planteth the rose and the willow, 
That reareth the marble o'er mouldering dust, 

Shall still make her bosom the slumberer's pillow, 
Still garner her treasures— fond Memory's trust. 



116 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

" Yet not here in the grave think we only of Ellen, 
Visions fairer than day-dreams are gathering nigh, 

Of a form that we loved, with a golden harp swelling, 
'Mid seraphim choir, the glad triumph on high." 

On the Sunday following the funeral, the 
rector of St. Stephen's endeavoured to improve 
the afflictive event in a sermon addressed to the 
church and congregation and Sunday school of 
which Ellen was a member. It may be regarded 
as not inappropriate to make a few extracts in 
connexion with her history and the details of 
the accident. 

" Dear hearers, is not the present a time when 
we almost instinctively turn to the word of God 
for comfort and support, amid the trials incident 
to our day ? It is not on the distant ocean that 
death has been busy in his work, and among 
those attached to us by the ties of common 
humanity and a kindred capacity for suffering. 
It is not in some distant city that the heavy and 
repeated stroke has fallen upon those whose 
names only are known to us through the public 
prints. Death's heavily charged arrow has been 
launched much nearer to us all. This whole 
community has been overwhelmed in one com- 
mon sorrow, and an event appalling in its extent 



THE FUNERAL. 117 

and suddenness has shaken those tender sensi- 
bilities with no ordinary violence. It has 
reached far down below the outer surface of 
human feeling; it has affected the stoutest heart, 
and caused the least sensitive chord to vibrate. 
I should in vain attempt to express in w r ords 
the deep interest which has pervaded this whole 
population, and which, like the suddenly agi- 
tated wave, has been spreading outward in 
widely extending circles, as the news of that 
sad morning flew from heart to heart. It was 
such a scene as the most indifferent will care 
not soon to witness ; and God grant that the 
message of warning contained in it may be so 
impressed upon all the living, that w T e shall not 
need its repetition for years to come. His pro- 
vidence has spoken loudly to us in this awfully 
sudden event, and given us a sermon which 
can hardly be forgotten, on the alternations of 
this changing life. He has given force to his 
own word by the manner in which he has spo- 
ken to us, and to that same word would that 
spirit draw us for comfort in the hour of trial. 
i We know not what a day may bring forth, 5 
says his w r ord; and how little did our three 
young friends, who sat together one evening 



118 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

laying their plans for future happy intercourse, 
know what a day would bring forth to them ! 
Nor did they know what a single hour would 
bring forth, when on that morning they started 
out with life, and health, and cheerfulness for 
their daily recreation. how vast a change 
will one short hour produce! We see the 
angel of death slowly and silently accomplishing 
his work in the aged pilgrim, who has long 
travelled life's weary road, and we are hardly 
surprised when the last word is spoke and the 
pulses cease to beat ; but here the warm life- 
blood has been arrested while coursing through 
the veins. The thought is stopped in the midst 
of utterance, and the strength is paralysed in its 
fulness. Youth is no safety, it fails in the midst 
of its highest loveliness, and buoyant hopes are 
crushed in the full tide of enjoyment, while on 
every side the note of wailing suddenly suc- 
ceeds. Truly c our life is even as a vapour that 
appeareth for a little time and then vanisheth 
away.' c Man's days are as grass ; as a flower 
of the field so he flourisheth ; in the morning it 
is green and groweth up ; in the evening it is 
cut down and withered. The wind passeth 
over it and it is gone, and the place thereof 



THE FUNERAL. 119 

shall know it no more. 5 Has not all this been 
painfully apparent in the event which has thrilled 
the heart of this community ? 

" But it has come nearer to us. It has made 
a breach in our church and congregation. It 
has caused vacant seats in this house. It has 
filled to overflowing the cup of family sorrow, 
and caused the tears of friendship and sympathy 
to flow freely. Out of one house did the angel 
of death call them ; but his message comes to 
three stricken families. One widowed mother 
has been looking for the return of a beloved 
daughter from a visit of much anticipated plea- 
sure. But, with a short warning, she beholds 
in the embrace of death that daughter's lovely 
form. An aged father and mother are sum- 
moned to the last sad rites of one dear to them ; 
the second child by them committed to the 
grave within a twelvemonth. And another 
family is bereaved in both these instances in 
addition to the loss of their eldest daughter, cut 
off by the same sad stroke. Is it wonderful that 
a wide-spread and spontaneous sympathy has 
been gushing forth towards these bereaved 
ones, and that every heart, moved by the kin- 
dred impulses of our nature, has been prompt 



120 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

to contribute its share of aid or consolation ? 
In such an hour it is more than becoming, it is 
an imperative duty, that the minister of religion 
should fulfil his commission by seeking to im- 
prove the event to their hearts, which have been 
so suddenly struck with this near view of death, 
and that he should point the afflicted ones to 
the only source of comfort. 

" c Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing ? 
And one of them shall not fall on the ground 
without your father. 5 how grateful to the 
heart, in this sad hour, to have such a source 
of comfort, and to experience the truth that he 
does not willingly afflict or grieve the children 
of men ! Where else shall we go to find such 
assurances as our Saviour gave his disciples? 
The sparrow might fall to the ground, but it 
would not be without the hand of God. The 
lilies of the field did neither toil nor spin, and 
yet they were clad in a beauty more exquisite 
than Solomon's. The fowls of heaven, which 
neither sowed nor reaped, nor gathered into 
storehouse, were yet the objects of their Crea- 
tor's care. Of two little birds, so insignificant 
in man's estimation that they were only a far- 
thing's worth, not one could fall without his 



THE FUNERAL. 121 

knowledge or permission. Do not these facts 
from his word and providence unite in speaking 
to us this day, and gathering strength through 
this sad occurrence by which they speak, con- 
vey a solemn lesson to each heart ? 

" And what, dear hearers, does this provi- 
dence say to us ? It says, Be ye also ready, for 
in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man 
may come. Three weeks ago, this day, our 
three young friends were in this house for the 
last time. A fortnight since, while prevented 
from attending their accustomed place of wor- 
ship, they sat side by side in another house of 
God, listening for the last time to the preached 
word, in a peculiarly solemn and timely ser- 
mon.* And, but one w r eek yesterday morning, 

* Extract from the Rev. Mr. Nelson's sermon the Sun- 
day before the sudden calamity. — After speaking- of 
the frailty of life, as apparent from the mechanism of 
the body, he said : 

"In view of these considerations, who does not feel 
constrained to exclaim, " I am fearfully and wonder- 
fully made !' How irresistible is the conviction that 
our existence here for a term of years, amidst the innu- 
merable casualties of life, is more a matter of surprise 
than expectation, — a sort of standing miracle I It is 
often said that when one goes to sea, there k only a 

11 



122 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

when they started out for their pleasant walk, 
they had the still farther object in view, of 
seeing whether they could cross the ice on the 

plank between him and death, while the great mass of 
men seem unconscious that every moment there is but 
a delicate, gauze-like membrane between them and 
death ; and that a blow, apparently insignificant, may 
serve to break the golden bowl, and sever the silver 
cord. 4 In the midst of life we are in death.' No age 
nor rank is exempt from the destroyer. 

" • Leaves have their time to fall, 

And flowers to wither at the nortii wind's breath, 

And stars to set — but all, 

Thou hast all seasons for thine own, Death !' 

"Those of this audience whose prospect of long life 
is most flattering, may be the first who shall fall in 
death. The summons may come as sudden and unlook- 
ed for as the peal of thunder from the cloudless sky. 
Though your sun of life may not yet have reached its 
meridian, or may still be far up in the mid-heavens, and 
the afternoon of many years be spread out in the dis- 
tance, yet it may suddenly set, and the shades of death 
gather around you. In all probability, some of us who 
are here to-day, will be called to die suddenly, and in 
a manner unlooked for, and that, too, before the close of 
the year upon which we have just entered. How 
unspeakably important, then, that we be in constant 
readiness, 'since we know not the day nor the hour 
when the Son of man cometh.' " 



THE FUNERAL. 123 

coming day to attend the services of this place. 
Members of this congregation, this event speaks 
to you, and it says : Improve your present privi- 
leges. Those voices, which were once blended 
in our services, will be heard no more on earth. 
The word of exhortation which you hear to-day 
may be the last. You have had many precious 
opportunities here ; they will not always con- 
tinue. Year after year has many a one been 
spared as a fruitless tree ; the order may soon 
go forth, i Cut it down, why cumbereth it the 
ground?' The Holy Spirit has been striving 
long with many in this house ; c Ephraim is 
joined to his idols, let him alone.' Man of 
business, the providence speaks to you w T hile 
deeply interested in the pursuit of earthly 
things, eager to amass that wealth that perishes 
with the using, and it says, c What shall it profit 
a man, if he shall gain the whole world and 
lose his own soul ?' Indifferent listener to these 
solemn truths, the word says : c Strive to enter 
in at the strait gate, for many shall seek to enter 
in, and shall not be able.' The door of mercy 
which stands open to-day will soon be closed, 
never again to be opened. Young and thought- 
less child of pleasure ! the Providence speaks 



124 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

to you, for you may be called away in the midst 
of your frivolity, from the scene of pleasure, to 
the bar of God. * * * 

"And now my dear young friends of the 
Sunday school, it is time I turn to you, for you 
have a particular interest in the event which has 
filled all our hearts with sadness. It is but a 
few days since I called your attention to the 
fact that not a death had occurred in our school 
during the past year, and asked you then to 
unite with me in praising God for his sparing 
mercy. Scarcely have w r e entered upon the 
new year before our thanksgiving has been 
turned to lamentation, and yet in the midst of 
our sorrow we can rejoice, because your dear 
departed friend is happier than before. Is it 
not a fitting time that I should warn you all to 
beware of delay, that the world lose not the 
benefit of your youthful example, and your out- 
ward devotion to the cause of Christ. Is there 
one here halting between two opinions, whether 
to serve God, or live for the world ! decide 
now ! What thou doest, do quickly. Is there 
an almost Christian here ? let him or her become 
one thing or another this very day. Dear chil- 
dren, should I stand here on another Sabbath 



THE FUNERAL. 125 

morning to speak of some sudden destruction 
which had laid you in yonder grave-yard, what 
would you wish me to say of you? We must 
depend upon what you do before death shall 
accomplish his work. How often have I 
rehearsed to you the words, c Remember now 
thy Creator in the days of thy youth.' ' Seek 
first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.' 
And should we not bless God in the midst of our 
sorrow, that we can point to one of your own 
number who was a living exhibition of obedi- 
ence to these commands, now enjoying the love 
of Him whom she remembered in the days of 
her youth, and the full happiness of that king- 
dom which she early sought? 

" Could our dear Ellen break through that 
cloud of witnesses among w T hich she is now 
numbered, with what emphasis w T ould she speak 
to you, her former companions, of a Saviour's 
love ! would she regret her early choice, or 
wish herself for one moment back to the scenes 
of earth ? No ! Happy as she was here, — and 
you saw not one around you whose smile was 
sweeter, whose step was lighter, whose brow 
was less clouded by early care ; happy as she 
was, and none seemed happier, she would not 
11* 



126 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

exchange with you those glorious pleasures and 
that harp of gold, though she would welcome 
you to share her joys. Could she have spoken 
to you as you bent with tearful eye over her 
lifeless form, she would have said, c Weep not 
for me, for I am happy, but weep for yourselves, 
and let the tears of penitence lead you to the 
Saviour, till you gain his peace.' That Saviour 
has taken her tender spirit to himself. It will 
suffer no rude shocks in this world of trial. 
She will sorrow no more in this vale of tears. 
Her spiritual harvest had been early ripening, 
and in God's own good appointed time, he 
called her away, — it may be from trouble to 
come. For her we may say, in the triumphant 
language of the hymn — 

" « Go to the grave, in all thy glorious prime, 
In full activity of life and power ; 
A Christian cannot die before his time, 
The Lord's appointment is the servant's hour. 

" * Go to the grave, for there the Saviour lay 
In death's embraces, ere he rose on high, 
And all the ransomed by that narrow way 
Pass to eternal life beyond the sky. 



THE FUNERAL. 127 

" c Go to the grave : No ! take thy seat above ; 
Be thy pure spirit present with the Lord : 
Where thou for faith and hope hast perfect love, 
And open vision for the written word.' " 

What more need be said to the youthful 
readers of this little narrative? They have 
followed Ellen from her early childhood, through 
her various stages of religious interest — her 
deep awakening, her earnest struggles, her 
honest decision, her open profession of Christian 
discipleship in the rite of confirmation, and her 
participation in the holy communion of the 
body and blood of Christ, through which she 
seemed strengthened and refreshed. They 
have witnessed her faithful walk and conversa- 
tion as a Christian, and her strict fulfilment of 
all religious duties. Are not the same duties 
now pressing upon them ? and how many of 
them have performed these duties? Let me 
come nearer to you, dear readers, as if you 
were now before me as my own flock. I urge 
you to make choice of Ellen's portion, for she 
hath chosen that good part which shall never 
be taken from her. Could you have seen her, 
you would have loved her as all others loved 
her, and you w T ould have seen that religion was 



128 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

her chief delight, that it made her happy and 
gave a charm to all her intercourse. She was 
the faithful child in everything, at home, at the 
seminary, in the church and the Sunday school, 
and you have seen something of her industry 
spread before you in these pages. What she 
accomplished, you can in a measure, at least, 
accomplish. You can examine your own 
hearts. You can read good books, and cease 
from wasting precious time in frivolous reading, 
and vain conversation. You can write your 
thoughts on paper, and spread them out in the 
presence of God. You can go to the throne of 
grace in prayer, for God has invited you to 
come, and your Saviour has taught you the way. 
The Sunday school is open for your instruction, 
and the church is ready to receive you and ad- 
mit you to its solemn ordinances, as soon as 
you are prepared for them. Are you ready for 
all this, or are you making any advances to it? 
And if not, are you ready to meet that death 
which came so suddenly to Ellen ? Like her 
you may be called away in a moment, without 
one note of warning, but, like her, would you 
be prepared ? Consider that her life of faith- 
fulness and piety is now speaking to you through 



THE FUNERAL. 129 

this little volume which you have read, and that 
her sudden death, which you have just reviewed, 
is warning you to be ready to meet your God. 
The Lord, through the means of a simple 
narrative of a child hardly four years of age, 
awakened Ellen to new thoughtfulness of serious 
things, and showed her the possibility of early 
piety. May the same Lord w r ho makes use in 
his infinite wisdom of such humble instrument- 
alities, bless the story of Ellen to your hearts, 
and lead you also to see that a child of thirteen 
can be a true and lovely Christian in full com- 
munion with the church, in the faithful perform- 
ance of all the duties of life. If but one such 
child should thus be led by the Spirit, using 
this little work as a means, the writer would be 
much rewarded for his labour. 



LINES 
INSCRIBED ON THE STONE AT ELLEN'S GRAVE. 

" Though much it seems a wonder and a wo 
That one so loved should be so early lost — 

And hallow'd tears may unforbidden flow, 

To mourn the blossom that we cherish'd most — 

Yet all is well ; God's good design we see — 

That where our treasure is, our hearts may be." 



CHAPTER XII. 

ELLEN AS A SCHOLAR. 

It has been thought best in a separate chap- 
ter to speak of Ellen as a scholar. Of her 
industry and faithfulness we have already spo- 
ken ; but when we see what she accomplished 
in her short life, it is difficult to see when she 
found the time in which to accomplish it. We 
have also noticed the fact that she was lively, 
always ready for play w T ith her young com- 
panions, and never refusing to go anywhere, 
or to do anything, unless hindered by that quick 
sense of duty. The time which she took for 
her religious duties, for her reading and prayer, 
for writing her various meditations, and keep- 
ing her journal, was not small, and yet this 
detracted not from the hours which w r ere neces- 
sarily devoted to the pressing studies of a large 

(130) 



ELLEN AS A SCHOLAR. 131 

school, where some little of the spirit of emula- 
tion would be most certainly felt. But it proved 
in her case, as it has in the case of many an 
older student, that the mind calmed and pre- 
pared by the exercises of devotion for all its 
tasks, is in the best possible condition to pursue 
those studies which require close attention ; and 
the happy-hearted Christian, free from those 
passions that hinder true enjoyment, could 
engage with all readiness and ease in her inno- 
cent recreation. 

She was an excellent French scholar, having 
laid a good foundation for it under a superior 
teacher in this department, in the Wilkesbarre 
Academy, Miss Virginia Brooke. She was at 
the time of her death pursuing Latin, and other 
studies, which will be alluded to in a letter from 
her teacher, to which we shall hereafter refer. 
She had made good progress in drawing and 
painting, many specimens of w 7 hich are in pos- 
session of the family, and without having what 
might be considered a decided taste for music, 
she yet, by her industry and perseverance, made 
good advances in it. It is a matter of wonder 
when she found time for all her numerous 
engagements, for everything was faithfully at- 



132 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

tended to ; and it seemed besides her regular 
studies, her ornamental work, of which she had 
bestowed many specimens upon her friends; 
besides her time devoted to religious reading 
and similar duties, she always had time to 
mingle with her companions in innocent enjoy- 
ment. It has been well said, " That life is long 
that answers life's great end ;" and judged by 
this rule, Ellen's life was longer than the aver- 
age, for every duty was faithfully performed, 
and the great end of life, — a preparation for 
heaven, — we have reason to believe, was fully 
accomplished. 

In addition to our notice of Ellen's scholar- 
ship, we insert a specimen of her ordinary school 
compositions. They exhibit nothing remarka- 
ble, but manifest a clear and thoughtful mind, 
through an easy flow of language. 

" TWILIGHT. 

"How sweet this calm hour to the pensive 
mind! How different from the bright and 
cheerful morning, but yet how pleasant ! How 
calmly the mind sinks into the musing mood, 
and rests from the excitement of the busy scenes 
of day ! Twilight is a season for reflection. At 



ELLEN AS A SCHOLAR. 133 

this hour we may think over our actions, and 
form resolutions for the future. It gives a kind 
of pleasure to see the sun declining in the west, 
and to see the shades of evening gather over 
us. I love to see first the evening star, then 
another and another peep out from the sky. 
What stillness reigns in the twilight hour ! The 
birds have ceased from singing. The distant 
murmuring of the brook is heard. The din 
and bustle of the day have ceased, and every- 
thing is still. This holy time ought to remind 
us of the twilight of life, when its lamp will 
have nearly ceased to burn, and old age will 
have come upon us. When musing at this 
hour we often think of distant friends separated 
from us perhaps by the vast ocean, who may at 
the very same moment be thinking of what we 
are doing, and as w T e gaze upon the evening 
star, or the rising moon, how pleasant to think 
that they, perhaps, are looking at the same 
objects ! A very dear friend* once told me that 
he had often thought, in looking at the moon, 
of the fact that it was the same moon that had 
shone on Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all 
the prophets, and on every generation from that 

* She here refers to her father. 
12 



134 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

time to this. If we have a dear parent far away 
from us, how pleasant is it to think of that parent 
as we sit musing in the twilight ! In summer 
this is a delightful hour. The days are then 
long, and there is some time between daylight 
and dark. In the family circle twilight is a 
time in which to talk over the events of the day, 
and such exercises seem suited to this time. 

"Saturday, May 12th, 1849." 

The following is very characteristic. 

" EMPLOYMENT OF TIME. 

1 It has been well said by a celebrated author 
that many persons lose two or three hours every 
day, for want of employing odd minutes. Plea- 
sure and business occupy so large a portion of 
our time, that we ought industriously to take 
advantage of every opportunity we have, for 
serious and instructive study. If we would 
spend all our spare minutes in this manner, we 
would gain a great many advantages even in 
one year. When we consider how much time 
we have already wasted, and how profitably it 
might have been employed, we are frightened 
to think how much of our short existence is 
gone, never to return. The best amends we 



ELLEN AS A SCHOLAR. 135 

can make for the lost time is, to employ profita- 
bly that which is left us. Time glides swiftly 
on, and, with our best efforts, we can hardly 
keep up with it. I am sure that if we would 
reflect that every moment brings us nearer to 
death, when time will cease with us, it w T ould 
lead us to redeem our time, and endeavour to 
grow every moment wiser and better. Regu- 
larity is necessary, if we would make the fullest 
and best use of our time. It is one ot the talents 
intrusted to us by our Creator. If we have 
neither brilliant talents nor wealth, w r e still have 
time in which to improve ourselves, and pre- 
pare for usefulness in this life." 

The following, though of a somewhat differ- 
ent character, may be allowably introduced. 
It shows an imaginative sprightliness among her 
mental manifestations, and it is by giving these 
various characteristics of light and shade that 
she is truly painted. 

" There is a romantic spot situated amongst 
the lowlands of Wyoming Valley, cool, and 
green as Calypso's grotto, surrounded by va- 
rious groves which deepen as they extend into 



136 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

dark, thick woods, which have probably wit- 
nessed bloody scenes, and echoed to the war- 
whoop of the savage Indian. As you ap- 
proach this fairy bower, you think you are 
strolling along on a wide extension of meadows, 
but as you suddenly turn, you observe a fruit- 
ful garden lying in silent loveliness, surrounded 
on three sides by a hedge of foliage, which hides 
it completely frorp. view, except on the side 
which you enter. Near this lovely spot a brook 
winds its peaceful way amongst trees and 
flowers, telling many a sad tale of former years. 

how I love to ramble around in this para- 
dise, or muse under the shade of some lofty tree 
encircled by the luxuriant vine, as its graceful 
drapery nearly conceals the unsightly trunk ; 
and then return from a ramble extended to the 
deepened shades of moonlight, to wander away 
in my dreams to still more enchanting spots, the 
resorts of the muses in their visits to our lower 
w T orld. And now, is your curiosity excited to 
know where this wonderful spot is to be found, 
or whether it is only the creature of my fancy ? 

1 assure you that it has a veritable existence, 
and is no other than my father's Beet Patch /" 



ELLEN AS A SCHOLAR. 137 

In speaking of Ellen's connexion with Wy- 
oming Seminary, it may be well to remark, that 
she was always ready to perform the various 
duties devolving upon her, either in the way of 
ordinary lessons, or in the occasional exhibi- 
tions. The last annual exhibition which she 
attended was during the period of her deep 
interest in religion, and just before the time 
appointed for the confirmation. She had often 
taken a part in these exercises, and was looked 
to, on the approaching occasion, both by her 
teachers and her classmates, to contribute to the 
interest of that event. A colloquy had been 
proposed, which was to be written by the young 
ladies who took their part in it, and she had 
been invited to engage in it. The subject was 
one of much faithful inquiry on her part how 
far she could participate, in her present state of 
religious feeling. She opened her mind freely 
to Miss Deitz, the accomplished teacher in this 
department, who fully appreciated Ellen's feel- 
ings, and assured her that she need not take 
any part that she could not with perfect freedom. 
The following plan, which was soon arranged, 
was accomplished on the day of exhibition, 
Wednesday, July 18th, 1849. A company of 
12 * 



138 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

young ladies are seated around a table express- 
ing to each other their mutual wishes for the 
future, and painting in the most glowing colours 
the life they would desire to live. Ellen is the 
last to express her preference, and we shall gain 
a correct idea of the whole scene from a refe- 
rence to her part. It is mostly in her own lan- 
guage, with some additions which were made 
in preparing the colloquy for the exhibition. 

"I am astonished at your wishes, girls! Can 
you really think that you would be happy in the 
realization of such dreams? For my part, I 
cannot see what there is in the possession of 
power so fascinating, that one would w T ish to 
encounter the dangers and snares of royalty, 
and bear the responsibilities of a queen ; not to 
speak of the low, contemptible ambition of 
wishing to rule the hearts of vain and fickle 
men ; for who but the vain and weak-minded 
ever worshipped mere beauty ? 

" But the acquisition and possession of wealth, 
this is the sum total of human happiness, the 
acme of human enjoyment! Helen! I should 
blush to own that such a sentiment had place 
in my heart. Surely, of all the altars on which 
the human heart was ever laid, the most un- 



ELLEN AS A SCHOLAR. 139 

worthy is the shrine of Mammon. What holy- 
sympathy, what heaven-born principle is not 
annihilated at its withering touch ! 

"As for being a poetess, I see nothing so 
very enviable in such a lot. True, there might 
be happiness in awakening intellectual and spi- 
ritual joy in other bosoms ; in breathing o'er the 
world pure spiritual incense ; yet how sadly 
true is the sentiment expressed by one of their 
number, that only 

" ' Flowers by careless footsteps crushed, 
Thus their sweets surrender.' 

" Nor can I exactly approve of Ruth's choice ; 
though I confess I admire the wild simplicity 
of the Indian maiden ; yet who would willingly 
forego the blessings of civilized life, its social 
joys, refinement of taste, intellectual pleasures, 
and above all, the knowledge gained by revela- 
tion of our great and good Creator, and the 
pure, happy home which he has made attain- 
able ? Who would exchange all these for the 
ignorance and errors of the child of nature, and 
his blind worship of the unknown God ? 

" Though it w r ould be pleasant to travel on a 
laudable enterprise, if undertaken for the sake 
of gaining and imparting knowledge, yet to 



140 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

roam over the world merely in search of our 
own pleasure, without seeking to make others 
happy, to diminish the sum of human sorrow, 
or brighten and cheer the earth by acts of kind- 
ness, seems a lot too selfish to be sought." 

She is here interrupted by a question from 
some one of the company : " Tell us now your 
wish, Ellen ! what would you be ?" 

" I would be a simple-hearted cottage girl, 
reared amid rural shades and the endearments 
of home. Undazzled by splendour and the 
pomp and pride of passion, I would inhabit a 
quiet home, where the loved and loving dwell. 
I would wish a heart uncorrupted and pure, 
overflowing w T ith warm and generous affection, 
the home of every tender and gentle emotion ; 
a heart that would fill with joy when those I 
loved were happy, and heave with sorrow when 
their souls were sad. I would wish to be the 
dutiful and affectionate child, the loving sister, 
and the faithful friend. I would wish, with a 
generous, happy spirit, to use the means kind 
Providence may bestow upon me, for the relief 
of the needy and distressed, and the promotion 
of piety and peace. Above all, I would wish 
to possess an humble heart, and a contented 
mind." 



ELLEN AS A SCHOLAR. 141 

11 This was the truthful expression of Ellen's 
own heart. It was felt to be such by all who 
knew her. The writer well remembers the 
scene, as he watched this lamb of his flock ful- 
filling the difficult duties of a public exhibition, 
from which her own modesty would have 
shrunk, had it not been duty. But this was 
not the end. In accordance with the plan at 
this stage, a gipsy fortune-teller appears among 
them, and asks them in turn if they desire to 
know their future history. They each assent, 
and their fortune is declared, until Ellen is 
appealed to. She immediately objects, from 
her conscientious aversion to the custom, and 
yet the fortune-teller, as she departs, utters the 
following lines, which seem, from the circum- 
stances which have since transpired, to wear an 
almost prophetic aspect: 

" In thy future lot I know 

There is happiness portrayed ; 
For the quiet on thy brow, 

And the blue eye's deepened shade, 
Say no dark, wild passions move 

Thy pure spirit's gentle love. 

"Vain ambition haunts thee not 
With his fleeting shadow — Fame ; 



142 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

And thou seek'st not fortune's lot, 

Wealth's bright treasure, grandeur's name: 

Dearer far to thee a home 
Where these phantoms never come. 

" And thou wilt not roam afar 

For the bliss thy sisters crave; 
For thou know'st true bliss a star, 

Beaming but beyond the grave ; 
That mere earth-born pleasures are 

But the meteor's fitful glare. 

" Round thy cottage home shall twine 

Every dear domestic joy, 
And the home-born pleasures thine, 

Time and change shall not destroy. 
And thy pleasant journey run, 

Thou wilt pass from earth away, 
But, as sinks the summers sun, 

To a brighter, fresher day." 

This is a beautiful tribute to that honesty and 
truthfulness to which we have so often adverted, 
and it is valuable as coming from her young 
companions, showing that they appreciated her 
character. She was always a favourite with 
them, and they were ever ready to accord her 
her true place. She thus appears always the 
same. Her consistent Christian character shone 



ELLEN AS A SCHOLAR. # 143 

out among all the exercises of school as well as 
at home, and now she has passed away, we love 
to dwell upon incidents, simple even as the pre- 
sent, which throw light upon her character. 
This exhibition was held in a grove near the 
seminary, and at the close of the exercises for 
the day Judge Woodward delivered the annual 
address. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 

We can only select a few from among the 
many letters of condolence which flowed in 
from every quarter, and such as have more par- 
ticular reference to Ellen's character or scholar- 
ship. The following is from the Rev. R. 
Nelson, the Principal of the " Wyoming Semi- 
nary," Kingston. 

" My dear Mr. and Mrs. Woodward : — 

" While your hearts are wrung with anguish 
by the mournful calamity which has befallen 
your household, removing from among the 
living, by a single blow, three lovely girls, you 
are not left to suffer alone in your painful be- 
reavement. The large circle of your friends, 
yea the entire community, are in deepest sym- 
pathy with you, and eager to contribute their 

(144) 



LETTERS Or CONDOLENCE. 145 

utmost to assuage your bitter grief, and alleviate 
the crushing weight of sorrow which now rests 
so heavily upon you. 

" The death of your own dear Ellen, who 
sustained the interesting relation to us of pupil, 
has filled the hearts of all her teachers with 
deepest sorrow. For though some of us have 
been many years engaged in teaching, yet never 
have we had under our care a pupil, who had 
become so closely entwined around our hearts. 
But pardon me for alluding here to my own 
grief and that of my associate teachers, which 
ought to be lost sight of in view of the anguish 
of yourselves and family, who sustained to her 
a relation so much nearer and dearer. 

" How unspeakably valuable to you now are 
the doctrines and hopes of Christianity ! How 
infinitely superior to the teachings of worldly 
philosophy! They do not, like the latter, strive 
to extinguish our natural feelings at the loss of 
friends, but they soften, increase, and sweeten 
the sensibilities of the heart, and at the same 
time, so elevate the mind as to cheer us amidst 
all our sorrows, and enable us in thought to 
follow our ascended friends into that Paradise 
which they have entered. 
13 



146 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

" The ancients used to say that ' whom the 
gods love, die young,' and under circumstances 
like yours, they sought to draw from the senti- 
ment the expressed consolation for their wound- 
ed hearts, but to you is given a more full word 
of promise. For if we believe that Jesus died 
and rose again, even so, those, also, who sleep 
in Jesus will God bring with him. And that 
your loved daughter now sleeps in Jesus, there 
exists not the shadow of a doubt, for her piety 
bore every mark of genuineness and consistency. 

" While the brothers and sisters of Ellen, 
with other associates, will love to retain the 
memory of her good qualities, and ever bear on 
the tablet of the mind the picture of her life, so 
eminently characterized by goodness, tender- 
ness, and regard for the feelings of others, and 
by a conscientious observance of religious 
duties, may they, like her, early become the 
subjects of God's forgiving mercy, and renew- 
ing grace ; for they cannot but feel themselves 
most solemnly admonished, c that in the midst 
of life, we are in death.' 

" To speak in this connexion of the many 
excellencies of Ellen, may not tend to diminish 
your sorrow, yet I cannot forbear alluding to 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 147 

some of them, for they are indelibly imprinted 
on my mind and heart. I express the senti- 
ments of my associate teachers of the seminary 
as well as of myself, when I assure you that we 
never had a pupil in whom we have been so 
deeply interested. There was a gracefulness 
and dignity in her person, an intelligence and 
sweetness in the expression of her countenance, 
a warm affection, a deep sincerity, and a sur- 
passing moral goodness, that have rendered the 
relation she sustained to us, one of hallowed 
recollection. 

" Her mind as well as mental qualities were 
of the highest order. She was always eminently 
conscientious and desirous to do right. If at 
any time during the exuberance of her happy 
feelings and flow of youthful spirits, she chanced 
to say or do aught that in her estimation had 
the semblance of wrong, she always embraced 
the first opportunity to make amends for it, and 
to beg that it might be overlooked, frequently 
writing bitter things against herself, when neither 
her teachers nor any one else had observed in 
her the least impropriety. 

"As a student, I have never known her 
equal. The preparation of her lessons was 



148 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

always critical and thorough, evincing a matu- 
rity of judgment, and a depth of research, which 
I have never witnessed in a pupil at her age. 
It seemed constantly to be her desire to learn 
well whatever she undertook to learn ; and 
manifestly, the same thoroughness characterized 
the prosecution of her early studies, as marked 
those she pursued while at the Seminary; for in 
all the elementary branches of a good education 
she was uncommonly well versed, and, more- 
over, possessed a fund of general information far 
beyond her years. 

"In mathematics, French, and Latin, her 
recitations were always interesting and gratify- 
ing to her teachers. Her translations of Racine, 
L'AUemagne, and Virgil, invariably brought out 
the sense and beauty of the original, in a man- 
ner seldom equalled by older students. 

" In music, as well as in drawing and paint- 
ing, her excellent progress gave great promise 
of future proficiency in those branches of study. 
Unlike most young persons, she possessed a 
remarkable aptitude for all her various studies, 
and prosecuting them with a uniform pleasure 
and success, gave proof that she possessed not 
only a strong but a well-balanced mind. 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 149 

" Allow me, in conclusion, to assure you of 
my prayer, and confident trust, that He who has 
wounded will bind up and soothe your bleeding 
hearts, granting unto you in your most painful 
bereavement the rich consolation of his grace. 
"Yours, truly, in Christian sympathy, 

" R. Nelson. 

"Wyoming Seminary, January 22, 1850." 

The following was received from the Rev. 
Dr. Claxton, a former Rector of St. Stephen's 
Church, whose particularly faithful instr actions 
were much blessed, not only to Ellen, but to 
the children of the Sunday school generally. 

It will be seen that its references are interest- 
ing, as substantiating some things which have 
been previously detailed in the narrative. 

"Madison, Indiana, January 30th, 1850. 

" My dear Judge and Mrs. Woodw t ard : 

" Could I have been with you last week, I 
do not know that I could have done otherwise 
than did the three friends of Job, when they 
sat down by his side, and, by a silence far more 
expressive than words, showed the depth of 
their sympathy with him in his sorrows. Who 
13* 



150 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

but the One Comforter could speak at such a 
time, so as to soothe the agonised heart ? Here 
in the far-off West, the tidings came upon me 
as a thunderbolt, and for a time I would not 
suffer my mind to credit the report which the 
telegraph brought us. Even whilst there was 
the relief of hoping that the intelligence was 
false, I found it hard to restrain at all my feel- 
ings ; but yesterday's mail brought us the con- 
firmation of my worst fears. My Ellen — surely 
she was as dear to me as if she had been a 
brother's child ! With almost every pleasant 
recollection that I have of Wilkesbarre, your 
house and your family are associated. There I 
spent so many of my happiest hours, and from 
Ellen I was always sure of a look and smile, 
if not of words of welcome. 

I see her now as the pure-hearted child that 
almost ten years ago prattled with me as she sat 
on my knee. I see her in the Sunday school, — 
so full of inquiring thoughtfulness and of quick 
intelligence. I see her in the little Sunday 
evening circle, as your pupil. I think of her as 
the child of such rare conscientiousness ; the 
truth-loving, sin-fearing child : bearing an 
almost unmistakeable impress of an early work 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 151 

of Divine grace. I think of her as I saw her 
last, almost three years ago : still a child, but 
ripening, as I thought, for womanhood, but, as 
God thought, for heaven. I think of her as 
Mrs. C. had been describing her since her 
return : as so cheerful, so sprightly, so intelli- 
gent, so truthful, so loving, so worthy of love : 
and, best of all, as a child of God, who had 
taken on herself her baptismal vows, just ready 
to enter on the full communion of Christ's 
visible church here. But then what a change! 
I know not how to think of her in the surprise, 
the alarm, the terror, the agony of her sudden 
summons. I would not think of her as mortal 
— save to think of her immortality. The Saviour 
who loved her and died for her — the Saviour 
she loved — is our God; the God of providence 
as well as of redemption ; and without Him, 
and c without our Father,' as not a sparrow falls, 
so no circumstance affecting one of his children 
can occur. He was as near her, as near in his 
love and his grace in that hour, as though her 
head had been resting on her mother's breast, 
and her life had been breathed out in the repose 
and quiet of the sick and dying chamber. I 
would rather think of her as she is : as the glass 



152 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

of God's precious promises shows her to the 
eye of faith, when that eye is not too much 
dimmed with the tears of natural sorrow: as 
amongst those virgins c that follow the Lamb 
whithersoever he goeth,' c that have washed 
their robes and made them white in the blood 
of the Lamb f and that ' w T alk with him in 
white,' for they, through his grace, < are w T orthy.' 
My dear, smitten friends, thus see your first- 
born daughter ; and say, is it not well ? What 
has she not escaped, that might have befallen 
her had her life been much prolonged in what 
God's spirit calls this ' vale of misery V Why 
should we so grieve when one who had assumed 
the pilgrim's garb reaches home, borne thither 
speedily by angelic hands, instead of toiling 
through a long and weary pilgrimage ? Why 
should you hesitate to give back that priceless 
treasure to Him who had loaned it to you, when 
his love in bestowing such a gift, with all the 
comfort you had derived therefrom during so 
many years, calls rather for your gratitude ? 

" I trust you do not unduly grieve. Flesh 
and blood, things of time and sense, earthy in 
all its varied stores, have no balm for such sor- 
rows as yours. But He that hath torn is He 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 153 

that healeth you. He that hath smitten will, 
with his own gracious hand, bind up your bro- 
ken spirits. The afflictions that make the 
worldling chafe and fret, and, it may be, even 
curse his God, are the very means that God's 
spirit employs to bring those who love the Sa- 
viour into nearer, sweeter communion with Him. 
You remember, perhaps, Herbert's lines, — 

" ' Affliction, then, is ours. 
We are the trees whom shaking fastens more, 
While blust'ring winds destroy the wanton bowers, 
And ruffle all their curious knots and store. 

My God ! so temper joy and wo, 
That thy bright beams may tame thy bow.' 

" I have not spoken of Ann B , not be- 
cause I did not love her, but because Ellen was 
naturally more dear to me, and much more to 
you. Oh! how I rejoice to learn that she, as 
well as Ellen, had chosen the better part, and 
was ready for the sudden call. May God com- 
fort her stricken relatives and friends. Remem- 
ber me most kindly to them all. May their 
afflictions be abundantly sanctified to them. 

"Mrs. Claxton joins me in most sympa- 
thizing and affectionate remembrances. 

" Yours in a common salvation, 

"R. Bethell Claxton." 



154 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

The following letter was received from Miss 
Catharine L. Brooke, a teacher in St. Mary's 
Hall, Burlington, New Jersey, formerly a teacher 
in the academy in Wilkesbarre. 

"St. Mary's Hall, January 29th, 1850. 

u My very dear Friends : — 

"The appalling dispensation under which 
your hearts are crushed, is too sad, too sudden, 
too overwhelming, to permit me to address you 
without a feeling of awe and trembling hesita- 
tion. To intrude the common-places of condo- 
lence upon the bereaved parents of such a child, 
under such circumstances, seems worse than 
futile. All that I can attempt is to offer you, in 
sincere affection, my heartfelt sympathy, and to 
express my deepest sorrow. Resignation to the 
decrees of the great Ruler of the universe is our 
duty ; but the ties which he has implanted are 
holy, and their strength in the hour of trial must 
be acknowledged. God blessed you, and you 
were grateful. He has smitten you to the earth, 
and you must suffer. The power of that reli- 
gion which you have for so many years adorned, 
is put to a fearful test. But the everlasting arm 
will bear you up. c God is our refuge and 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 155 

strength, a very present help in trouble. 5 Faith 
in his mercy can alone sustain you in the first 
'agonies of grief; time alone can alleviate its 
poignancy. 

" The loss of the faithful Ann Butler, who 
was so incorporated with your family as to claim 
and possess the affection of a relative, would 
have been grievous, and the death of an inte- 
resting guest, the daughter of a widowed 
mother, deeply deplorable ; but the sacrifice of 
the life of your dearest, holiest child, is a cala- 
mity too dreadful to realize. On the very 
threshold of life, surrounded by every blessing 
that could make existence desirable, before one 
prospect had been dimmed, or one hope 
blighted, she has been taken from the ' evil to 
come,' for evil must come to all who continue 
from youth to age. Her life was brief, but full 
of happiness, and we almost feel that she was 
translated, for c God took her.' 

"None know better than myself the priceless 
value of that jewel which has been snatched 
from you to adorn a brighter sphere. On her 
virtues and her gifts I have frequently dwelt to 
you both. Purity and truth, dignity and spot- 
less innocence, depth of feeling and power of 



156 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

intellect united to form a character i as beautiful 
as rare, as rare as beautiful ; ' and which shone 
forth in its brightest lustre in that last, dread 
scene, when, with a self-possession almost un- 
paralleled, she rose superior to fear and conster- 
nation, and, calmly directing her dismayed 
sisters what to do, sacrificed her own life in the 
effort to save her friends. What in the records 
of humanity can surpass this ? What brighter, 
holier manifestation could there be of the con- 
centrated energies, the ennobling virtues of her 
character? Her life was beautiful, — but its 
closing scene was refulgent with heroic piety. 
She has passed away, and the memory of her 
virtues, while it adds to your profound sorrow, 
will be a balm to your bleeding hearts. 

"Were I to say what I thought her most 
distinguishing character, I should say truthful- 
ness^ — truthfulness in everything. She feigned 
nothing. Reality was in every act, feeling, and 
thought, and her mind possessed a power of 
patient investigation, and an earnestness of pur- 
pose given but rarely to her sex. She never 
glanced over a subject and then dismissed it 
imperfectly comprehended. She listened and 
looked when receiving instruction as if her mind 



LETTERS OP CONDOLENCE. 157 

was taking in all she heard, and moulding it in 
its own peculiar form. 

" I recollect that on the first day I saw the 
pupils assembled, my eye rested on Ellen, and 
I was struck with the depth of her expression, 
and I formed a high opinion of her character ; 
and from the first hour to the last, during two 
years' intercourse in the trying relation of 
teacher and pupil, she was ever the same lovely 
being. 

" Her dislike to praise was remarkable. Her 
docility, propriety, and accuracy would fre- 
quently elicit my warmest approbation, and I 
felt disposed to caress her, and show my pre- 
ference ; but she would ever avoid it, fearful 
of hurting the feelings of others. In her class 
she was perfectly quiet, never spoke until she 
was appealed to, and then with the utmost 
modesty, accuracy, and deliberation. No 
eagerness to show her proficiency or superiority 
over others would be seen. 

"My sister (Miss Virginia Brooke) writes the 
following with regard to your daughter : c Ellen 
was so retiring, so unobtrusive in her nature, 
that few out of her family circle or her intimate 
playmates can recall anything more than the 
14 



158 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

usual, even tenor of her way. Her character 
made itself felt, and impressed itself upon our 
minds, we can scarcely say how. Other chil- 
dren are often good, amiable, and submissive ; 
but in her you felt that there was something 
more noble and elevated than usually falls to 
the lot of humanity. I can remember nothing 
more vividly than her manner when recalling 
something that had slipped from her memory. 
For a few moments she appeared totally ab- 
sorbed, insensible to all external objects, and 
her whole countenance indicated the earnest 
search she was making in the inmost recesses 
of thought to find what she had lost, and she 
was invariably successful in bringing it forth, 
with her usual clearness and correctness.' 

" I have extracted this from my sister's letter, 
that you may know the estimate in which she 
held the character of your dear lost Ellen. 
c Not lost, but gone before,' where she waits to 
welcome you to scenes of happiness that can 
know no change. 

" With my kind regards for the other mem- 
bers of your family, accept for yourselves the 
warmest sympathy, and unalterable esteem of 
your friend, 

" Catherine L. Brooke." 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 159 

The following lines, written by a young lady, 
since deceased, of Centre County, Pa., were 
published in the Episcopal Recorder : — 

"Inscribed to the Hon. G. W. Woodward. 
"In memory of Ellen M. Woodward, Miss Benner,and 
Miss Butler, who were drowned together, January 
19, 1850, near Wilkes-barre, Pa. 

" Tis very sad to weep and wake 

Beside the severing tie, 
To woo in vain the shadows back 

That dim the loving eye. 
But sadder far, to see the blight 

Of undeparted bloom, 
That left no track from day to night, 

From spring-time to the tomb. 

" Thus too this gentle trio came 

The angel of the grave, 
Quenched with a look the vital flame, 

And chilled the purple wave ; 
And drinking quick the precious breath, 

He left his task abroad 
To bear th' unfaded wreath to Death, 

The spotless gems to God. 

" This is the balm to bleeding love 

In lrfe's dear purpose crossed ; 
The shrouded here, are winged above — 

The loved, but not the lost ! 



160 ELLEN MAY WOODWARD. 

The smile of Heaven had early won 

Each heart from earth away, 
And death was but the sudden dawn 

Of everlasting day. 

" Thou, Ellen, in thy childhood bright, 

The world but little trod ; 
Hadst turned from earth's delusive light, 

To yield thy heart to God ; 
An opening flower, that caught the hue 

Of Heaven's refulgent dyes, 
And, dripping with the morning dew, 

Was gathering to the skies. 

" 'Twere sweet to have thee bloom in time ; 

But sweeter far to thee 
To pour thy fragrance in the shrine 

Of immortality. 
Where blossoms close not from the night, 

Nor dread the storm to come ; 
The noonday heat, and evening blight 

Are far beneath thy home. 

"This tale o'er many a soul will hang 

In shadows for a day ; 
But there are hearts from which the pang 

Will pass no more away ; 
Hearts that in after years will beat, 

E'en as to-night in pain, 
And hear in dreams the coming feet, 

That ne'er shall come again. 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE. 161 

"God help the mother in her grief, 

The father in his wo ! 
The hand alone can give relief 

That measured out the blow. 
Thy blessing on each lonely hearth ! 

And grant the spirits riven, 
That loved and severed here on earth, 

May meet and love in heaven ! 

"H.J. M. 
"Feb. 11th, 1850." 



THE END. 



14* 



LINDSAY & BLAKISTON'S PUBLICATIONS. 



A BOOK FOR EVERY CHRISTIAN. 

THE SECOND EDITION. 

MEMOIR OF MISS MARGARET MERCER. 

BY CASPAR MORRIS, M.D. 

A neat 18mo. volume, mth a beautiful Engraved 

Portrait of Miss Mercer. 



OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 

" Miss Mercer was a daughter of the late Governor Mercer of Maryland. 
Her father, who was a Virginian, and the descendant of a distinguished 
family, removed to Strawherry Hill, near Annapolis, Md., soon after his mar- 
riage. In the memoir of the daughter, we have the moral portraiture of a 
character of great moral worth. Miss Mercer was a Christian, who earnestly 
sought to promote the glory of the Saviour, in persevering efforts to he use- 
ful in every position, and especially as a teacher of the young. Her energy 
of mind and elevated principles, united with humility and gentleness and 
devoted piety, illustrated in her useful life, rendered her example worthy of 
a lasting memorial. The work is accompanied by numerous extracts from 
her correspondence." — Christian Observer. 

"The perusal of this Memoir will do good ; it shows how much ean be ac- 
complished hy superior talents, under the control of a heart imbued with 
love to the Saviour. The contemplation of the character of Miss Mercer may 
lead others to put forth similar efforts, and reap a like reward." — Christian 
Chronicle. 

"It is impossible to read this Memoir without the conviction that Mis# 
Mercer was a very superior woman, both in her attainments and her entire 
■elf-consecration. In laying down the book, we feel alike admiration for the 
biographer and the subject of the Memoir." — Presbyterian. 

1 



LINDSAY & BLAKISTON 

PUBLISH 

THE ROSEMAKY, 

A COLLECTION OF 
FROM THE ENGLISH AND AMERICAN POETS; 

WITH EIGHT SPLENDID ILLUSTRATIONS ON STEEL 

By Sartain. 

LIST OP EMBELLISHMENTS. 

HOSES SMITING THE ROCK MURILLO. 

HEBRON BRACEBRIDGI. 

DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN ZEIGLER. 

ELIJAH FED BY RAVENS CORBOULD. 

ABRAHAM OFFERING UP ISAAC WESTALL. 

GOD'S COVENANT WITH NOAH ROTHERMEL, 

JOSEPH SOLD BY HIS BRETHREN ZUCCHI. 

THE WOMEN AT THE SEPULCHRE • . P.VIET. 

(0itrwt frnm tjjt tfttktt. 

"In presenting in <The Rosemary' some of the choice selections of Sacred 
Poetry in an attractive garb, it is hoped that it will he received as an evi- 
dence of that religious feeling, which at times has actuated most of the great 
poets, and been displayed in some of their finest productions." 

OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 

" This book is a beautiful pearl, rich in the treasures of thought and ima- 
gination, which form its contents, as well as in the elegance of its costume, 
and the delicate and finished engravings which embellish it."— Christian Ob- 
server. 

"In this attractive volume we find much to please the eye; but the most 
valuable recommendation of the work is found in the lessons of piety, virtue, 
morality, and mercy, which are thrown together in this many-coloured gar- 
land of poetic flowers." — Episcopal Recorder. 

" The volume before us commends itself to every one who with a gift would 
connect the highest sentiment of purity — for it is a casket of spiritual gems 
—radiant with the light of true religion."— Christian Qem. 

"This collection is made with great taste, and is, perhaps, the finest ever 
comprised within the limits of one volume." — Godey's Lady's Book. 

2 



LINDSAY & BLAKISTON 



MY LITTLE GEOGRAPHY, 

PRIMARY SCHOOLS AND FOR BEGINNERS. 

WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. 
EDITED BY MRS. L. O. TUTHILL. 

RECOMMENDATIONS. 
From Mrs. E. W. Phelps, Principal of Female Seminary, Shepherdstown, Va. 
Messrs. Lindsay <& Blaldston :— " My Little Geography" is the favourite vo- 
lume of my younger pupils, who have been charmed with the chapters they 
have studied, and delighted at finding they could commit the sprightly little 
verses to memory. Such an elementary treatise was quite a desideratum, 
and I am pleased that the idea suggested itself to a person capable of carrying 
it out, in a style so peculiarly apapted to instruct and interest the young. 
Very respectfully, yours, E. W. PHELPS." 

From J. E. Lovell, Principal of the Lancasterian School, JVew Haven, Conn. 

"I have examined a little work, by Mrs. L. C. Tuthill, entitled 'My Little 
Geography.' It is by no means an easy task to write well for young children, 
but this performance is, I think, highly successful. Its language is simple 
and chaste ; its sentences concise, and its topics so treated that the youngest 
pupil will easily understand them. Several books for beginners in Geogra- 
phy—excellent in most respects — have been published within a few years; 
but they are, without an exception, so far as my knowledge extends, too com* 
prehensive, and above the. capacities of those for whose particular use they 
were intended. Mrs. TuthilPs little work may be used as introductory to 
either of them, with great advantage ; it will do its own part well, and open 
the way for the better accomplishment of that which belongs to its successors. 
I hope it may have an extensive circulation. J. E. LOVELL." 

OPINIONS OP THE PRESS. 

This is the title of a captivating little book for children, by which they are 
led, almost insensibly, into a knowledge of geographical terms. — Com. Adv. 

• Than this unpretending little work we have never seen a more useful or 
appropriate school-book, or one more • admirably calculated for beginners in 
geography ; we can recommend it, without fear of responsibility, to our semi- 
naries, as well deserving a trial. — Southern Patriot. 

We welcome, with particular pleasure, this little work; the author has 
succeeded admirably in producing a book which must prove a valuable auxi- 
liary to parents and teachers, as well as a delightful and instructive com- 
panion for children. — Saturday Courier. 

This is an attractive, we must add, entertaining book ; as a first Geography 
for children, it is admirably suited to their capacities, and its embellishment* 
cannot fail to interest them. — Christian Observer. 

This is a most admirable work for young beginners in Geography; it should 
be introduce 1 into families and schools.— Intelligencer and Journal. 

4 



LINDSAY & BLAKISTON 

PUBLISH THE 

BOYS' AND GIRLS' MISCELLANY, 

CONSISTING OF 

ORIGINAL STORIES, POETRY, BIOGRAPHY, ANECDOTES, 

©HARASS©* ETF©^ &]?(§* 

ALL ADAPTED TO 

THE COMPREHENSION OF CHILDREN, 

AND PREPARED BOTH WITH A VIEW TO THEIR AMUSEMENT AND INSTRUCTION, 
WITH OVER FIFTY 

BEAUTIFULLY EXECUTED ILLUSTRATIONS. 



OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 

"This is a very attractive work for young people, and can scarcely fail of 
becoming a favourite." — National Standard, 

"The matter is appropriate, various, and pleasing — the wood-cuts good, 
and the coloured title very tasteful."— Presbyterian. 

" We cheerfully recommend this work to our juvenile readers."— Bee. 

" This work contains much that is entertaining to children — wholesome 
and pleasing moral tales, short anecdotes, conveying useful truths, and 
poetry which children will not soon forget; it may he confidently recom- 
mended to parents." — Trenton Gazette. 

"This work cannot fail to improve the minds of young people, and fit 
them for the important position that they are hereafter to occupy." — Chri* 
tian Repository. 

" Its design is good, and its execution commendable, and evinces on the 
part of the editor both taste and tact." — Spirit of the. Times. 

"We can cheerfully recommend this work as an excellent publication fof 
youth."— Recorder. 

8 



LINDSAY & BLAKISTON 

HAVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED, 

BcmtB in t\)t €\k of tl)c 0awour, 

BY THE 

POSTS AND PAINTERS: 

CONTAINING 

MANY GEMS OF ART AND GENIUS, 

ILLUSTRATIVE OF 

THE SAVIOUR'S LIFE AND PASSION, 

EDITED BY THE 

REV. RUFUS GRISWOLD. 

ME ILLUSTRATIONS, WHICH ARE EXQUISITELY ENGRAVED ON STEEL, 
BY JOHN SARTAIN, ARE : 

The Holy Family, painted by N. Poussin; 

The Saviour, by Paul Delaroche ; 

Christ by the Well of Sychar, by Emelie Signol; 

The Daughter of Jarius, by Delonne ; 

Walking on the Sea, by Henry Richter; 

The Ten Lepers, by A. Vandyke ; 

The Last Supper, by Benjamin West; 

The Women at the Sepulchre, by Philip Viet. 

THE LITERARY CONTENTS, COMPRISING SIXTY-FOUR POEMS ARE BY 

Milton, Hemans, Montgomery, Kehle, Mrs* Sigourney, 

Miss Landon, Dale, Willis, Bui finch, Bethune, Long* 

fellow, Whittier, Croly, Klopstock v Mrs* Osgood, 

Pierpont Crosswell, and other celebrated Poets 

of this and other Countries* 

The volume is richly and beautifully bound in Turkey Morocco, gilt, white 

calf extra, or embossed cloth, gilt edges, sides, and back. 

We commend this volume to the attention of those who would place a Sou- 
venir in the hands of their friends, to invite them in the purest strains of 
poetry, and by the eloquence of art, to study the Life of the Saviour .—Chris- 
tian Observer. 

The contents are so arranged as to constitute a Poetical and Pictorial Life 
of the Saviour, and we can think no more appropriate gift-book. In typo- 
graphy, embellishments, and binding, we have recently seen nothing more 
tasteful and rich.— North American. 

We like this book, as well for its beauty as for its elevated character. It il 
just such an one as is suited, either for a library or a parlour centre-table; 
and no one can arise from its perusal without feeling strongly the sublimity 
and enduring character of the Christian religion.— Harrisburg Telegraph. 

9 



LINDSAY & BLAKISTON 

HATE JUBT PUBLISHED 

THE W§MEM M TM$ SOTPTTOES. 

EDITED BY THE 

REV-. H. HASTINGS WELD; 

WITH 

Original Literary Contributions, 

BY 

DISTINGUISHED AMERICAN WRITERS: 

BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED BY' 

TWELVE SUPERB ENGRAVINGS ON STEEL, 

By J. Sartain, Philadelphia, 

FROM ORIGINAL DESIGNS, EXPRESSLY FOR THE WORK, 

By T. P. Rossiter, New York : 

INCLUDING 

Miriam, Eve, Sarah, Rachel, Hannah, Ruth, Queen of Sheba, Shunamite, 
Esther, The Syrophenician, Martha, The Marys. 

Elegantly bound in White Calf, Turkey Morocco, and Cloth Extra, with 
Gilt Edges. 



PREFACE. 

The subject of this book entitles it to a high place among illustrated vg» 
lumes. The execution, literary and artistic, will, we are confident, be found 
worthy of the theme ; since we have received the assistance of authors best 
known in the sacred literature of our country, in presenting, in their various 
important attitudes -and relations, the Women of the Scriptures. The con- 
tents of the volume were prepared expressly for it, with the exception of the 
pages from the pen of Mrs. Balfour ; and for the republication of her arti- 
cles, no one who reads them will require an apology. The designs for the 
engravings are original; and the Publishers trust that in the present volume 
they have made their best acknowledgment for the favour with which its 

Sredecessors have been received. The whole, they believe, will be found no 
lapt memento of those to whom St. Peter refers the sex for an ensample: 
"the holy women, in the old time." 

10 



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